Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Vermillion, SD: $60,212 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Vermillion, SD earns a median $60,212/year (≈ $28.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Vermillion's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $64,884 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants in Vermillion, South Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $60,212 in 2026, which is quite below the national median of $70,247, marking a difference of about 14.29%. Salary estimates indicate a range from $45,743 at the 10th percentile to $73,632 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differing demands and productivity expectations that can influence pay in this region. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances, helps contextualize the local labor market. With a projected growth rate of 2.73% annually, the job market for physical therapists assistants in Vermillion shows promising signs of stability and minor expansion amid the evolving healthcare needs within the community.
About the Vermillion Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,743 | $21.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,601 | $26.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,212 | $28.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,423 | $32.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,632 | $35.40 |
Median Salary Position
14.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vermillion
In Vermillion, SD, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,889 (2026 est.). At $60,212, the local median is 14.29% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vermillion: You'd be above the median
How Vermillion Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Vermillion median: $60,212/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vermillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $65,165 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.29% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Vermillion, SD earn a median of $60,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.29% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $65,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vermillion 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.
Vermillion, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,212 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,884 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,392
2025 BLS Actual
$58,612
2026 Current Est.
$60,212
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Vermillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,392 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,612 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,212 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermillion metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,392 (2019) to $58,612 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,464 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermillion 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) | $45,743 – $54,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,601 – $60,212 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,212 – $68,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,423 – $73,632 |
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 Vermillion
Despite employing only six physical therapist assistants, Vermillion presents a unique job market shaped by local economic conditions. The cost of living index stands at 92.8, indicating that residents may have a slightly better purchasing power than the national average. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest wages, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities, although the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut—which affected several settings—has led to tighter budgets and more selective hiring practices. The wide salary range in the area is driven mainly by the setting of employment, productivity expectations, and certain facilities' additional premiums for weekend and PRN work. For those seeking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Vermillion SD, strategic choices around employment settings and continuous skill development are essential, leveraging opportunities to transition toward higher-paying roles or specialties where compensation can be more favorable.
More salary data for Vermillion, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $58,612 for physical therapist assistantsin the Vermillion 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 Vermillion 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