South Dakota Median
$58,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $62,520
State Rank
#43 of 50
150 employed here
How much does an Athletic Trainer make in South Dakota?
Athletic Trainers in South Dakota take home a median of $58,620 annually — roughly $28.18 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $62,520.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,630 while the top 10% make $64,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,380 and $61,750 a year.
Athletic Trainer salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,380 | $23.74 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,620 | $28.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,750 | $29.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,130 | $30.83 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories for Athletic Trainer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Athletic Trainer salary in other states
California $78,490Hawaii $76,320New Jersey $76,210District of Columbia $74,450New Mexico $72,440Massachusetts $70,010Connecticut $69,960New York $66,230Utah $65,980Minnesota $65,390Illinois $64,750Georgia $64,590Colorado $64,580Texas $64,150Maryland $63,970Rhode Island $63,750Washington $63,750Wyoming $63,190Vermont $62,910Indiana $62,780Louisiana $62,760Maine $61,970Virginia $61,860Wisconsin $61,820Arizona $61,710Ohio $61,420Florida $61,350Oklahoma $61,320Pennsylvania $61,060Nebraska $61,020North Dakota $60,900Kentucky $60,680Idaho $60,410New Hampshire $60,200Montana $60,090Tennessee $59,850Nevada $59,820Delaware $59,650Michigan $59,280South Carolina $59,240Kansas $59,140Missouri $58,660Mississippi $58,180Oregon $57,790Arkansas $57,240North Carolina $56,540Iowa $55,430West Virginia $50,510Alabama $46,940
Working as an Athletic Trainer in South Dakota
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Athletic Trainers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($58,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Athletic Trainer make in South Dakota?
The median Athletic Trainer salary in South Dakota is $58,620 per year, or about $28.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,630 at the entry level to $64,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Athletic Trainers about 6% less than the national median of $62,520. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Athletic Trainers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,620 a year. About 150 Athletic Trainers are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Athletic Trainer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.