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

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South Dakota employs 430 respiratory therapists, with a statewide median of $68,240 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Respiratory therapists Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $68,240 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,530
Experienced (75th percentile): $79,370
Top earners (90th percentile): $88,830
Employed in South Dakota: 430
U.S. median (for comparison): $80,450 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for respiratory therapists in major South Dakota markets:

Sioux City: $63,800 (40 employed)
Sioux Falls: $63,630 (270 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 $68,240 median stretches to roughly $77,020 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow respiratory therapists employment +25.0%, faster than the +12.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner — regulated by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Respiratory Care.

Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.
Pass the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exam.
Apply for licensure through the SD Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners; renew with continuing education.

Official requirements: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Respiratory Care →

Training in South Dakota

Employers expect the RRT credential. Steady hospital demand; CoARC community-college programs keep tuition reasonable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Augustana University — Bachelor's
Dakota State University — Associate / Bachelor's
Dakota Wesleyan University — Bachelor's
Lake Area Technical College — Associate

Where Respiratory therapists Work in South Dakota

Real South Dakota hospitals that employ respiratory therapists include:

Sanford Usd Medical Center — Sioux Falls
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center — Sioux Falls
V a Black Hills Health Care — Fort Meade
Monument Health Rapid City Hospital — Rapid City
Sioux Falls V a Medical Center — Sioux Falls
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital — Yankton

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want meaningful clinical work with a focused training path.

Think twice if: Emergency settings, hospitals, and vulnerable patients feel too stressful.

Why it's resilient: Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.

First Steps

Compare accredited respiratory care programs and board exam requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do respiratory therapists make in South Dakota?

The median wage for respiratory therapists in South Dakota is $68,240 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,530, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $88,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner, overseen by the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Respiratory Care. Complete a CoARC-accredited respiratory therapy program.

Is being a Respiratory Therapist a good career in South Dakota?

Respiratory care involves bedside judgment, equipment, urgent patient needs, and licensed clinical responsibility.

Which South Dakota metros pay respiratory therapists the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux City leads at $63,800, followed by Sioux Falls ($63,630). 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 Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include Augustana University, Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University. Most respiratory therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Respiratory Therapist a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects respiratory therapists employment to change +25.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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 29-1126. Licensing summary compiled from the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners — Respiratory Care (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.