Occupational Therapist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 490+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$85,050
$40.89/hr
vs National Average
$98,754
-13.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$66K – $107K
490 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Occupational Therapist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,820 |
| 25th percentile | $80,720 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $85,050 |
| 75th percentile | $99,940 |
| 90th percentile | $106,520 |
Top-Paying Industries for Occupational Therapist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Occupational Therapists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Occupational Therapists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $105,560 | 3K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $101,950 | 200 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $101,410 | 570 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $101,080 | 133K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $100,120 | 3K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Occupational Therapist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $76,400 |
| 2023 | $79,980 |
| 2024 | $81,430 |
| 2025 | $85,050 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,831 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $76,400 | $88,771 |
| 2023 | $79,980 | $93,040 |
| 2024 | $81,430 | $95,329 |
| 2025 | $85,050 | $98,754 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,831 | $103,144 |
Occupational Therapist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $80,720 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $85,050 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $99,940 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $106,520 |
Occupational Therapist Salary in Other States
Related Occupational Therapist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Occupational Therapist ($85,050 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Occupational Therapist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in SD | $586,010 | +589.0% | $281.74/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SD | $393,870 | +363.1% | $189.36/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SD | $297,610 | +249.9% | $143.08/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in SD | $280,520 | +229.8% | $134.87/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SD | $263,930 | +210.3% | $126.89/hr |
| Pediatrician in SD | $257,610 | +202.9% | $123.85/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SD | $239,970 | +182.2% | $115.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SD | $226,180 | +165.9% | $108.74/hr |
| Dentist in SD | $158,140 | +85.9% | $76.03/hr |
| Pharmacist in SD | $146,790 | +72.6% | $70.57/hr |
| Physician Assistant in SD | $133,200 | +56.6% | $64.04/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in SD | $128,840 | +51.5% | $61.94/hr |