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

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Physical Therapy pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $92,660/yr — 10% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotais one of the lowest-paying states (#49 of 51).

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Physical Therapy.

Median salary
$92,660/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$82,380 – $103,630
National median
$102,760/yr
Employed in South Dakota
1,060

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
$92,660
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $104,582
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #27 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #49 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 physical therapy professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $92,660 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $82,380 and $103,630. That's 10% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for physical therapy?

By raw pay, South Dakota is one of the lowest-paying states (#49 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $104,582. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #27 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #49 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are physical therapy professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 1,060 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +10.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Physical Therapy nationally — South Dakota pay is 10% below the national median. See the full Physical Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Maybe — physical therapy is meaningful, in-demand, and well-paid, but the required doctorate (DPT) means heavy debt that can take years to clear. Worth it if you're committed to the field; risky if you're chasing pure ROI.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Meaningful, hands-on health-care work
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Varied settings: clinics, hospitals, sports, home health
  • Autonomy and direct patient relationships

Cons

  • Requires a Doctor of Physical Therapy (3 years post-bachelor's)
  • High student debt relative to salary
  • Physically demanding day-to-day
  • Insurance/productivity pressure in many clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People committed to health care long-term
  • Those who want autonomy and patient contact
  • Anyone who can limit DPT debt

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to take on graduate debt
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

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