Occupational Therapist salary in South Dakota
Occupational Therapists in South Dakota earn a median of $39.15 per hour, about $81,430 a year, 17% below the U.S. median of $47.28. The middle half earn between $36.10 and $44.59 per hour. The highest median among South Dakota metro areas is in Rapid City, SD, at $39.48 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $39.15median pay per hour
- $81,430median pay per year
- 520employed in South Dakota
- #49of 50 states by median pay
Occupational Therapist pay in South Dakota: percentiles
| Level | South Dakota per hour | South Dakota per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $29.75 | $61,880 | $32.25 |
| Lower quartile | $36.10 | $75,090 | $38.70 |
| Median | $39.15 | $81,430 | $47.28 |
| Upper quartile | $44.59 | $92,750 | $53.11 |
| Top 10% | $48.10 | $100,050 | $62.42 |
Occupational Therapist pay by metro area in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs South Dakota median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $39.48 | $82,110 | 80 | 1% above | $44.28 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $39.15 | $81,430 | 280 | in line with | $43.20 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Occupational Therapist pay in states next to South Dakota
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $42.68 | $88,780 | 9% above South Dakota |
| Minnesota | $40.88 | $85,040 | 4% above South Dakota |
| Montana | $40.60 | $84,440 | 4% above South Dakota |
| North Dakota | $38.42 | $79,910 | 2% below South Dakota |
| Nebraska | $41.83 | $87,010 | 7% above South Dakota |
| Wyoming | $42.97 | $89,370 | 10% above South Dakota |
What employers are posting in South Dakota
- 9roles with published pay
- $42.62median pay per hour
- $34–$51typical published range
- 1employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Avera Health | 9 | $42.62 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 9 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Occupational Therapist jobs in South Dakota · Occupational Therapist salary nationwide · South Dakota state guide
Common questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in South Dakota?
The median is $39.15 per hour, about $81,430 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $29.75 and the top 10% earn over $48.10 (BLS, May 2024).
Which South Dakota city pays occupational therapists the most?
Among South Dakota metro areas, Rapid City, SD has the highest median at $39.48 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does South Dakota rank for occupational therapist pay?
South Dakota ranks 49th of 50 states by median occupational therapist pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay occupational therapists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
30+ Occupational Therapist roles in South Dakota, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your OT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your South Dakota list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 9 postings$42.62/ hr$32–$51
- AmedisysVenice, FL · 5 postings$78.48/ hr$52–$89
- Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 4 postings$67.73/ hr$54–$83
- CommonSpirit HealthNORTHRIDGE, CA · 9 postings$64.73/ hr$48–$81
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your South Dakota list
2What they are offering now
9 OT postings with published pay in South Dakota, 1 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 9 OT roles
- Occupational TherapistPermanent$32.25–$48.50/ hour
- Occupational Therapist (OT) | AcutePermanent$34.00–$51.25/ hour
+ 7 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.