Physician Assistant salary in South Dakota
Physician Assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $133,200 a year ($64.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,020 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $135,880. South Dakota ranks 32nd of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 1.5 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $131,910, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| 25th percentile | $112,570 | $54.12 |
| Median | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| 75th percentile | $142,330 | $68.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,020 | $75.97 |
| Average (mean) | $131,910 | $63.42 |
Half of physician 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 | $11,100 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,550 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,123.08 |
| Weekly | $2,561.54 |
| Hourly | $64.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $133,200 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.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $135,790 | 290 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $130,970 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $130,740 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in South Dakota?
The median salary for physician assistants in South Dakota is $133,200 a year, or $64.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of physician assistants in South Dakota earn at least $158,020 a year. The top 25% earn $142,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,660 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $112,570 or less.
How many physician assistants work in South Dakota?
About 680 physician assistants are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.