Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Dakota: $62,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $62,940/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,823 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($67,871), Watertown ($64,514), Yankton ($64,494).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in South Dakota is projected to be $62,939, which is 15.3% lower than the national median of $74,332. The disparity in pay across the state is significant, with Rapid City offering the highest salaries at $69,778, while Sioux Falls has the lowest at $57,759, creating a gap of $11,019. This difference is largely driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for services, and availability of jobs in specific regions. In South Dakota, occupational therapy assistants must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence job responsibilities and salary potential. The demand for therapy services is growing, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.81% for employment from the previous year, reflecting a steady need for professionals in this field. Top projected salaries for 2026 in the state include Watertown at $66,327, Yankton at $66,306, Spearfish at $66,140, and Mitchell at $65,663. These figures indicate a healthy job market and suggest that as the demand for occupational therapy services continues to rise, salaries may also see upward pressure in the future.
South Dakota Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $46,536 (lowest entry-level) to $87,123 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota occupational therapy assistants earn 15.33% less than the national median ($-11,392/year difference).
South Dakota Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in South Dakota range from $48,525 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,606 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,940. The South Dakota median is $11,392 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $30.26/hr. Approximately 101 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,670
2025 BLS Actual
$61,219
2026 Current Est.
$62,940
2019–2027 Growth
+76.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,219 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,708 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 66.9% from $36,670 (2019) to $61,219 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,708 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,038 (76.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $57,759 |
| Huron | $63,614 |
| Vermillion | $63,712 |
| Brookings | $63,728 |
| Pierre | $64,807 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $69,778 | 92.8 | $75,192 |
| Watertown | $66,327 | 92.8 | $71,473 |
| Yankton | $66,306 | 92.8 | $71,450 |
| Spearfish | $66,140 | 92.8 | $71,272 |
| Mitchell | $65,663 | 92.8 | $70,758 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,525 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,940 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,606 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $69,778 |
| 2 | Watertown | $66,327 |
| 3 | Yankton | $66,306 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $66,140 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $65,663 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $65,553 |
| 7 | Pierre | $64,807 |
| 8 | Brookings | $63,728 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $63,712 |
| 10 | Huron | $63,614 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $57,759 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in South Dakota?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov