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

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Respiratory Therapy pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $68,240/yr — 17% 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 Respiratory Therapy.

Median salary
$68,240/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$62,010 – $79,370
National median
$82,280/yr
Employed in South Dakota
430

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
$68,240
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $77,020
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #47 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 respiratory therapy professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $68,240 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $62,010 and $79,370. That's 17% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for respiratory 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 $77,020. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #47 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 respiratory therapy professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 430 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +12.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Respiratory Therapy nationally — South Dakota pay is 17% below the national median. See the full Respiratory Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — respiratory therapy pairs solid pay from an associate degree with much-faster-than-average growth driven by an aging population. Expect hospital shift work and high-stakes, critical-care moments.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Solid pay from a two-year associate degree
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Essential, recession-resistant role
  • Meaningful critical-care work
  • Clear licensure pathway

Cons

  • Hospital shift work (nights, weekends)
  • High-stakes, sometimes stressful situations
  • Exposure to illness
  • Physically active days

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting strong pay-per-education in health care
  • Those who thrive in fast-paced clinical settings
  • Anyone drawn to critical-care work

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who want low-stress, predictable hours
  • Those uncomfortable with acute-care intensity

What people are actually asking

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