Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Rapid City, SD: $51,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Rapid City, SD earns a median $51,375/year (≈ $24.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $57,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.2% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Rapid City, South Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $51,375. This figure reflects a significant variance when compared to the national median of $70,247, illustrating the economic disparities faced locally. Salary ranges here extend from $39,212 at the 10th percentile to $64,771 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the different earning potential based on experience, setting, and skill level. Derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, these projections highlight the impact of recent Medicare cuts, particularly for those working in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, as the job market adjusts to these changes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,212 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,375 | $24.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,587 | $29.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,771 | $31.14 |
Median Salary Position
26.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,559 (2026 est.). At $51,375, the local median is 26.87% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $51,375/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $65,197 | -21.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -26.87% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $51,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.87% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 21.20% below the South Dakota state average of $65,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $51,375 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,621 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,680
2025 BLS Actual
$50,010
2026 Current Est.
$51,375
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,778 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 14.5% from $43,680 (2019) to $50,010 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,778 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,098 (20.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $39,212 – $49,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,660 – $51,375 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,375 – $61,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,587 – $64,771 |
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 Rapid City
With 40 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the Rapid City area, the local job market shows moderate stability. The cost of living index in Rapid City stands at 89.16, indicating that despite the lower average salaries, the purchasing power may balance out health care professionals' earnings. Employers within outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer more competitive wages, while skilled nursing facilities are under pressure due to the reduced reimbursements following Medicare cuts. Several factors contribute to the wage differences, including the work setting and productivity expectations. To enhance earnings in Rapid City, physical therapist assistants may consider seeking opportunities in higher-paying environments, pursuing additional certifications, or negotiating for PRN shifts that often pay premium rates. Understanding the nuances of the local market can help optimize take-home pay effectively.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Rapid City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Rapid City?
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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 $50,010 for physical therapist assistantsin the Rapid City 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
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