South Dakota Median
$56,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $72,300
State Rank
#49 of 50
100 employed here
How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in South Dakota?
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Dakota take home a median of $56,180 annually — roughly $27.01 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $72,300.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $40,110 while the top 10% make $72,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,470 and $59,670 a year.
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,110 | $19.28 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,470 | $23.30 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,180 | $27.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,670 | $28.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in other states
Maryland $82,010California $81,770Texas $81,500Nevada $79,510Arkansas $78,940Delaware $78,640Washington $77,590New Mexico $77,020Oregon $76,850Georgia $75,920Colorado $75,340Massachusetts $75,040New Jersey $74,960Virginia $74,960South Carolina $73,740Arizona $73,490Montana $72,800Connecticut $72,780Hawaii $72,710Florida $71,630Pennsylvania $71,590North Carolina $69,390New York $68,530New Hampshire $67,790Rhode Island $66,710Indiana $66,660Oklahoma $66,520District of Columbia $66,390Louisiana $66,090Utah $66,080Missouri $66,070Idaho $65,330Kentucky $65,230Kansas $65,010Minnesota $64,920Maine $64,270Iowa $64,140Illinois $64,120Michigan $63,260Nebraska $63,180Wyoming $62,750Ohio $62,700Tennessee $62,420Alabama $62,250Mississippi $61,650North Dakota $60,970West Virginia $60,370Wisconsin $59,960Alaska $53,530
Working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Dakota
Nationally, about 51,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($56,180) 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant make in South Dakota?
The median Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in South Dakota is $56,180 per year, or about $27.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,110 at the entry level to $72,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Occupational Therapy Assistants about 22% less than the national median of $72,300. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,180 a year. About 100 Occupational Therapy Assistants 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant 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.