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Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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South Dakota employs 100 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $56,180 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $56,180 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,110
Experienced (75th percentile): $59,670
Top earners (90th percentile): $72,800
Employed in South Dakota: 100
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major South Dakota markets:

Sioux Falls: $56,180 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota

Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $56,180 median stretches to roughly $63,409 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +20.2%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Occupational Therapy.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply for licensure through the SD Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners.

Official requirements: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Occupational Therapy →

Training in South Dakota

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Lake Area Technical College — Associate
Mitchell Technical College — Associate
National American University-Rapid City — Associate
Western Dakota Technical College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in South Dakota

Real South Dakota outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Prairie Rehabilitation — Sioux Falls
Avera Sister James Care Center — Yankton
Good Samaritan Society Sioux Falls Village — Sioux Falls
Avera Prince of Peace — Sioux Falls
Firesteel Healthcare Center — Mitchell
Avantara Huron — Huron

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Dakota?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in South Dakota is $56,180 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,110, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $72,800. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Dakota?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Occupational Therapy. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in South Dakota?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which South Dakota metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux Falls leads at $56,180. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College, National American University-Rapid City. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +20.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Occupational Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Dakota wages · South Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.