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Physical Therapist Assistant in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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South Dakota employs 300 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $49,310 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $49,310 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $40,120
Experienced (75th percentile): $60,050
Top earners (90th percentile): $63,930
Employed in South Dakota: 300
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

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

Sioux City: $60,530 (40 employed)
Rapid City: $50,010 (40 employed)
Sioux Falls: $49,080 (120 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 $49,310 median stretches to roughly $55,655 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +25.2%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Physical Therapy.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply for licensure through the SD Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners.

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

Training in South Dakota

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

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 Physical therapist assistants Work in South Dakota

Real South Dakota outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist 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: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in South Dakota?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in South Dakota is $49,310 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $40,120, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $63,930. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in South Dakota?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in South Dakota?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which South Dakota metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux City leads at $60,530, followed by Rapid City ($50,010), Sioux Falls ($49,080). 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 a Physical Therapist Assistant in South Dakota?

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

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +25.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 60 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 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Physical 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.