South Dakota Median
$46,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#45 of 48
40 employed here
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in South Dakota?
Recreational Therapists in South Dakota take home a median of $46,850 annually — roughly $22.52 an hour — which runs 24% below the national median of $61,960.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $41,390 while the top 10% make $83,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,130 and $60,000 a year.
Recreational Therapist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,390 | $19.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,130 | $20.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,850 | $22.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,000 | $28.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 45th out of 48 states and territories for Recreational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Recreational Therapist salary in other states
California $98,170District of Columbia $95,640New Hampshire $82,280Nevada $78,730Washington $77,860Minnesota $76,360Colorado $66,580Oregon $66,530New York $65,520Hawaii $64,500Maryland $64,300Vermont $63,380Connecticut $63,240Nebraska $62,980Massachusetts $62,820Arizona $62,610Texas $62,490Michigan $61,700Virginia $61,270Ohio $60,770New Jersey $60,400Wisconsin $59,350Kentucky $59,240Pennsylvania $58,940Missouri $58,620North Dakota $58,370Florida $57,980Maine $57,560Alabama $57,360Utah $56,640Iowa $56,140Illinois $54,910Indiana $53,770Georgia $52,010Tennessee $51,910Louisiana $51,150Delaware $51,110Montana $51,110North Carolina $51,030Oklahoma $50,480Idaho $49,720New Mexico $49,210West Virginia $49,010South Carolina $48,880Arkansas $42,670Kansas $40,010Mississippi $39,560
Working as a Recreational Therapist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Recreational Therapists 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 ($46,850) 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 Recreational Therapist make in South Dakota?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in South Dakota is $46,850 per year, or about $22.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,390 at the entry level to $83,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Recreational Therapists about 24% less than the national median of $61,960. South Dakota ranks 45th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,850 a year. About 40 Recreational Therapists 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 Recreational Therapist 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.