Physicist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 30+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$83,050
$39.93/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-46.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$54K – $181K
30 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Physicist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,910 |
| 25th percentile | $66,170 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $83,050 |
| 75th percentile | $134,300 |
| 90th percentile | $180,690 |
Top-Paying Industries for Physicist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Physicists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Physicists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $239,360 | 3K |
| Wholesale Trade | $219,010 | — |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $213,780 | 50 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $210,530 | — |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $176,170 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Physicist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,390 |
| 2025 | $83,050 |
| 2026 (projected) | $87,987 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $78,390 | $149,537 |
| 2025 | $83,050 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $87,987 | $162,904 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $66,170 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $83,050 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $134,300 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $180,690 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Physicist ($83,050 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist in SD | $80,890 | -2.6% | $38.89/hr |
| Psychologist in SD | $80,130 | -3.5% | $38.52/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SD | $71,180 | -14.3% | $34.22/hr |
| Geoscientist in SD | $71,150 | -14.3% | $34.21/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in SD | $68,230 | -17.8% | $32.80/hr |
| Chemist in SD | $67,440 | -18.8% | $32.42/hr |
| Management Analyst in SD | $83,620 | +0.7% | $40.20/hr |
| Project Management Specialist in SD | $82,250 | -1.0% | $39.54/hr |
| Occupational Therapist in SD | $85,050 | +2.4% | $40.89/hr |
| Logistician in SD | $80,020 | -3.6% | $38.47/hr |
| Loan Officer in SD | $79,920 | -3.8% | $38.42/hr |
| Tax Examiner in SD | $86,260 | +3.9% | $41.47/hr |