Respiratory Therapist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 430+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$68,240
$32.81/hr
vs National Average
$83,882
-18.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$49K – $89K
430 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,530 |
| 25th percentile | $62,010 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $68,240 |
| 75th percentile | $79,370 |
| 90th percentile | $88,830 |
Top-Paying Industries for Respiratory Therapist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Respiratory Therapists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Respiratory Therapists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $138,620 | 50 |
| Educational Services | $97,360 | 800 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $82,630 | 129K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $81,120 | 200 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $80,250 | 4K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Respiratory Therapist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $60,390 |
| 2023 | $64,000 |
| 2024 | $64,720 |
| 2025 | $68,240 |
| 2026 (projected) | $71,951 |
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 | $60,390 | $70,362 |
| 2023 | $64,000 | $76,440 |
| 2024 | $64,720 | $80,241 |
| 2025 | $68,240 | $83,882 |
| 2026 (projected) | $71,951 | $88,444 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $62,010 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $68,240 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $79,370 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $88,830 |
Respiratory Therapist Salary in Other States
Related Respiratory Therapist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Respiratory Therapist ($68,240 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Respiratory Therapist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in SD | $586,010 | +758.7% | $281.74/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SD | $393,870 | +477.2% | $189.36/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SD | $297,610 | +336.1% | $143.08/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in SD | $280,520 | +311.1% | $134.87/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SD | $263,930 | +286.8% | $126.89/hr |
| Pediatrician in SD | $257,610 | +277.5% | $123.85/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SD | $239,970 | +251.7% | $115.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SD | $226,180 | +231.4% | $108.74/hr |
| Dentist in SD | $158,140 | +131.7% | $76.03/hr |
| Pharmacist in SD | $146,790 | +115.1% | $70.57/hr |
| Physician Assistant in SD | $133,200 | +95.2% | $64.04/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in SD | $128,840 | +88.8% | $61.94/hr |