Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Brookings, SD: $60,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Brookings, SD earns a median $60,226/year (≈ $28.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $64,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Brookings, South Dakota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,226. This figure falls considerably below the national median of $70,247, illustrating the regional salary constraints. The local salary range for this occupation extends from $45,779 at the 10th percentile to $73,677 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a significant variation based on experience and workplace setting. These projections are sourced from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. With a small workforce of only four physical therapist assistants in the area, job market dynamics may affect salary negotiations and opportunities, emphasizing the need for prospective PTAs to understand their earning potential thoroughly.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,779 | $22.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,632 | $26.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,226 | $28.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,179 | $32.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,677 | $35.42 |
Median Salary Position
14.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,898 (2026 est.). At $60,226, the local median is 14.27% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be above the median
How Brookings Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Brookings median: $60,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $65,180 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.27% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Brookings, SD earn a median of $60,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $65,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,226 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,899 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,404
2025 BLS Actual
$58,626
2026 Current Est.
$60,226
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,404 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,453 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,626 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,404 (2019) to $58,626 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,467 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,779 – $54,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,632 – $60,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,226 – $67,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,179 – $73,677 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Brookings
Examining the job market context in Brookings reveals essential factors influencing physical therapist assistant pay in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, living expenses in Brookings are lower than the national average, meaning that salaries may stretch further for residents. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest compensation, particularly in light of productivity expectations and the supervision required by state laws and Medicare regulations. The effects of the CMS 15% Medicare cut for PTA services, effective in 2022, continue to play a role in salary compression, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings that rely heavily on Medicare reimbursements. To maximize earnings, physical therapist assistants in Brookings should consider specializing in high-demand areas or seeking positions in settings that prioritize care quality and patient outcomes, while also exploring opportunities for career advancement through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Brookings, SD in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Brookings?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,626 for physical therapist assistantsin the Brookings metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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