South Dakota ranks 37th of 51 states and D.C. for physician assistants pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($163,020) by $34,890 — a 27% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $102,720 to $154,050 — a $51,330 spread, 41% tighter than the national $86,960 range.
Physician Assistants are more concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.43 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.43× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| 25th percentile | $109,750 | $52.77 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,130 | $61.60 |
| 75th percentile | $141,420 | $67.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,050 | $74.06 |
| Mean (average) | $128,300 | $61.68 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $128,130 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $163,020 | +27% |
| California | $161,080 | +26% |
| Washington | $156,990 | +23% |
| New York | $152,650 | +19% |
| Oregon | $149,130 | +16% |
| Rhode Island | $141,600 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $140,490 | +10% |
| New Mexico | $139,990 | +9% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Database Architects | $127,460 | 60 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $123,380 | 500 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,440 | 4,440 |
| Sales Managers | $133,590 | 450 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $122,600 | 950 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $120,310 | 130 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Physician Assistants salary in South Dakota?
The mean physician assistants salary in South Dakota is $128,300 per year. The median (middle) salary is $128,130 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Physician Assistants in South Dakota?
Entry-level physician assistantss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $102,720 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $109,750 per year.
What is the highest Physician Assistants salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $154,050 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $141,420 per year.
How does the South Dakota Physician Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median physician assistants salary in South Dakota is $128,130, which is -4% below national average of $133,260.