Massage Therapist salary in South Dakota
Massage Therapists in South Dakota earn a median of $52,000 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,310 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $58,450. South Dakota ranks 37th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.40 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $48,790, close to the median.
Pay range for massage therapists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| 25th percentile | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Median | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $53,920 | $25.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Average (mean) | $48,790 | $23.46 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,166.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000 |
| Weekly | $1,000 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,890 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,920 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $52,970 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,330 | $15.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for massage therapists in South Dakota is $52,000 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of massage therapists in South Dakota earn at least $56,310 a year. The top 25% earn $53,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,720 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $42,000 or less.
How many massage therapists work in South Dakota?
About 180 massage therapists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.