Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in South Dakota: $53,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $53,046/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,162 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Watertown ($61,017), Yankton ($60,998), Spearfish ($60,845).
In South Dakota, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is projected to be $53,047, which is significantly lower than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a difference of 24.5%. Watertown offers the highest salary for this occupation at $62,683, while Sioux Falls presents the lowest at $50,420; this approximately $12,263 gap can be attributed to differences in cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of physical therapy practices in these cities. South Dakota requires physical therapist assistants to hold a state license, which necessitates passing a national certification exam and fulfilling specific educational criteria. As the demand for rehabilitation services rises, particularly among aging populations, job opportunities in this field are expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.73%. Key cities contributing to employment include Yankton at $62,663, Spearfish at $62,506, and Mitchell at $62,055, signifying regional disparities in wage potential influenced by local healthcare needs and resources. Overall, while salaries are lower than the national median, favorable job growth indicates a stable outlook for aspiring professionals in South Dakota.
South Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $39,212 (lowest entry-level) to $77,676 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota physical therapist assistants earn 24.49% less than the national median ($-17,201/year difference).
South Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in South Dakota range from $41,733 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $67,791 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,046. The South Dakota median is $17,201 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $25.51/hr. Approximately 205 physical therapist assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,360
2025 BLS Actual
$51,637
2026 Current Est.
$53,046
2019–2027 Growth
+42.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 34.6% from $38,360 (2019) to $51,637 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,135 (42.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $50,420 |
| Rapid City | $51,375 |
| Huron | $60,119 |
| Vermillion | $60,212 |
| Brookings | $60,226 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $62,683 | 92.8 | $67,546 |
| Yankton | $62,663 | 92.8 | $67,525 |
| Spearfish | $62,506 | 92.8 | $67,356 |
| Mitchell | $62,055 | 92.8 | $66,870 |
| Aberdeen | $61,951 | 92.8 | $66,758 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,733 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,046 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $67,791 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertown | $62,683 |
| 2 | Yankton | $62,663 |
| 3 | Spearfish | $62,506 |
| 4 | Mitchell | $62,055 |
| 5 | Aberdeen | $61,951 |
| 6 | Pierre | $61,247 |
| 7 | Brookings | $60,226 |
| 8 | Vermillion | $60,212 |
| 9 | Huron | $60,119 |
| 10 | Rapid City | $51,375 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $50,420 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in South Dakota?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov