South Dakota Median
$83,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-52% vs US median
US median $172,250
State Rank
#42 of 43
30 employed here
How much does a Physicist make in South Dakota?
Physicists in South Dakota take home a median of $83,050 annually — roughly $39.93 an hour — which runs 52% below the national median of $172,250.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $53,910 while the top 10% make $180,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,170 and $134,300 a year.
Physicist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,170 | $31.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,050 | $39.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $134,300 | $64.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,690 | $86.87 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 42nd out of 43 states and territories for Physicist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Physicist salary in other states
Florida $225,390New Hampshire $214,030Pennsylvania $210,990California $207,490Oregon $200,320Oklahoma $200,050Texas $184,040New York $181,970Kentucky $180,910Connecticut $180,300Iowa $178,110Maryland $174,390North Carolina $174,180Wisconsin $173,120Minnesota $171,220Louisiana $166,240New Mexico $165,340Tennessee $165,010New Jersey $163,270Ohio $162,900District of Columbia $157,040Utah $156,760Rhode Island $155,150Nevada $154,030Virginia $145,040Georgia $144,870Missouri $140,460Alabama $139,330South Carolina $138,400Illinois $137,140Arkansas $135,820Idaho $135,150Washington $134,790Arizona $130,500Mississippi $129,970Hawaii $117,190Massachusetts $106,410Indiana $105,940Colorado $104,580Montana $103,800Michigan $94,520Delaware $82,590
Working as a Physicist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Physicists in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($83,050) 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 a Physicist make in South Dakota?
The median Physicist salary in South Dakota is $83,050 per year, or about $39.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,910 at the entry level to $180,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Physicists about 52% less than the national median of $172,250. South Dakota ranks 42nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Physicists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,050 a year. About 30 Physicists 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 Physicist 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.