Physician Assistant Salary in Pierre, SD: $122,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Pierre, SD earns a median $122,403/year (≈ $58.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $131,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the evolving medical landscape of Pierre, South Dakota, the projected median salary for physician assistants stands at $122,403 in 2026, which reflects a downward trend compared to the national median of $140,391. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $90,396 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $164,078. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities. As the healthcare sector in Pierre continues to develop, employment choices between W-2 positions at local hospitals and 1099 contracts in surgical practices will likely influence overall compensation for physician assistants.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $90,396 | $43.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,226 | $55.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,403 | $58.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,569 | $69.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,078 | $78.88 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,682 (2026 est.). At $122,403, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Pierre median: $122,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $130,216 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -12.81% less |
Physician Assistants in Pierre, SD earn a median of $122,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $130,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $122,403 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,900 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,876
2025 BLS Actual
$118,470
2026 Current Est.
$122,403
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,876 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,865 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $97,876 (2019) to $118,470 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,591 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $90,396 – $115,226 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,226 – $122,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,403 – $145,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,569 – $164,078 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Pierre
Analyzing the job market for physician assistants in Pierre reveals a relatively modest workforce, with only four employed in the region. The cost of living index in Pierre, currently at 92.8, suggests that while local salaries might appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains competitive. Hospital systems typically provide more stable salaries and benefits for PAs than private practices or urgent care chains, though specialties such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery yield higher pay due to procedural demands. The income disparity is largely influenced by factors like case volume, specialty practices, and RVU-based bonuses. To optimize their earnings, physician assistants in Pierre should consider pursuing surgical specialties or seeking roles with hospitals that offer structured salary models, which can help mitigate the fluctuations often experienced in private and locum tenens positions.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $118,470 for physician assistantsin the Pierre metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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