Physical Therapist Assistant salary in South Dakota
Physical Therapist Assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $49,310 a year ($23.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,930 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $68,380. South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for physical therapist assistants pay. There are 0.65 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| 25th percentile | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Median | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| 75th percentile | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Average (mean) | $52,170 | $25.08 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $4,109.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,054.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,896.54 |
| Weekly | $948.27 |
| Hourly | $23.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,310 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.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,530 | 40 |
| Rapid City, SD | $50,010 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,080 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| 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 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
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 31-2021. 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 physical therapist assistant make in South Dakota?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in South Dakota is $49,310 a year, or $23.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in South Dakota earn at least $63,930 a year. The top 25% earn $60,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,120 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $46,910 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in South Dakota?
About 300 physical therapist assistants are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.