Physician Assistant Salary in South Dakota: $137,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $137,078/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $147,713 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($135,790), Rapid City ($130,740), Watertown ($121,248).
In 2026, physician assistants in South Dakota are projected to earn an average median salary of $137,078, which is slightly lower than the national median of $140,391, representing a gap of 2.4%. Among the state's cities, Sioux Falls stands out as the highest paying area with salaries averaging $140,298, while Huron has the lowest at $120,150, reflecting a salary gap of $20,148. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the overall economic environment in these cities. South Dakota requires physician assistants to obtain state licensure, which includes meeting educational and examination standards. Additionally, scope of practice laws vary within the state, potentially influencing job responsibilities and compensation opportunities. Factors driving demand in South Dakota include a growing population and an increasing need for healthcare services in both urban and rural areas. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.32%, the job market for physician assistants in the state appears stable, indicating that opportunities will continue to expand. In terms of specific cities, Rapid City follows Sioux Falls at $135,081, while Watertown, Yankton, and Spearfish have salaries ranging from $124,921 to $125,273, reflecting consistent demand across various regions.
South Dakota Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $90,396 (lowest entry-level) to $166,210 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota physician assistants earn 2.36% less than the national median ($-3,313/year difference).
South Dakota Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in South Dakota range from $105,735 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $163,380 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $137,078. The South Dakota median is $3,313 below the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $65.90/hr. Approximately 485 physician assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$105,791
2025 BLS Actual
$132,673
2026 Current Est.
$137,078
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,791 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,291 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,975 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,629 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 25.4% from $105,791 (2019) to $132,673 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,629 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,838 (33.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $120,150 |
| Vermillion | $120,336 |
| Brookings | $120,365 |
| Pierre | $122,403 |
| Aberdeen | $123,812 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $140,298 | 90.631 | $154,801 |
| Rapid City | $135,081 | 89.16 | $151,504 |
| Watertown | $125,273 | 92.8 | $134,992 |
| Yankton | $125,234 | 92.8 | $134,950 |
| Spearfish | $124,921 | 92.8 | $134,613 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $105,735 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $137,078 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $163,380 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $140,298 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $135,081 |
| 3 | Watertown | $125,273 |
| 4 | Yankton | $125,234 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $124,921 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $124,019 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $123,812 |
| 8 | Pierre | $122,403 |
| 9 | Brookings | $120,365 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $120,336 |
| 11 | Huron | $120,150 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in South Dakota?
How many physician assistants are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for physician assistants?
Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physician assistant compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov