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Massage Therapy Salary in South Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Massage Therapy pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $52,000/yr — 11% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotaranks #37 of 50 states by median pay.

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Massage Therapy.

Median salary
$52,000/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$42,000 – $53,920
National median
$58,450/yr
Employed in South Dakota
180

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in South Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
88.6
Nominal median
$52,000
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $58,691
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #33 of 50 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #37 on raw salary.

South Dakota levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do massage therapy professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $52,000 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $42,000 and $53,920. That's 11% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for massage therapy?

By raw pay, South Dakota ranks #37 of 50 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $58,691. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #33 of 50 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #37 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are massage therapy professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 180 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +15.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Massage Therapy nationally — South Dakota pay is 11% below the national median. See the full Massage Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes if the lifestyle fits — massage therapy has fast-growing demand, a short and affordable training path, and strong self-employment potential. The catches are that it's physically taxing on your body over time and income depends heavily on building a steady client base.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Short, affordable training path
  • Strong self-employment and flexibility
  • Meaningful, wellness-focused work
  • Low student debt

Cons

  • Physically taxing on your body over a career
  • Income depends on building a client base
  • Inconsistent hours/income when self-employed
  • Limited benefits for independent therapists
  • Career longevity limited by physical wear

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting flexible, hands-on wellness work
  • Those with the drive to build a client base
  • Anyone seeking low-debt self-employment

✗ Probably not if…

  • People needing stable, high pay
  • Those worried about long-term physical strain

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Massage Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.