Veterinarian salary in Rapid City, SD
Veterinarians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $90,410 a year ($43.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,050 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $88,650. There are 0.75 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| 25th percentile | $75,830 | $36.46 |
| Median | $90,410 | $43.47 |
| 75th percentile | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,050 | $61.08 |
| Average (mean) | $91,830 | $44.15 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,534.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,767.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,477.31 |
| Weekly | $1,738.65 |
| Hourly | $43.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $98,320 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $230,530 | $110.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $211,990 | $101.92 |
| Chiropractor | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $90,410 a year, or $43.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $127,050 a year. The top 25% earn $102,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,790 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $75,830 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Rapid City, SD?
About 60 veterinarians are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.