Physicists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,910
- 25th Percentile — Junior$66,170
- 50th Percentile — Median$83,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$134,300
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$180,690
Half of Physicists in South Dakota earn more than $83,050. The top 10% make $180,690 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,910.
Physicists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 43rd of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $108,270 per year (36.8% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 30 people work as Physicists in South Dakota — 0.1% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.58: Physicists jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,910; the top 10% earn over $180,690.
- Hourly equivalent: $52.05 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Atmospheric and Space Scientists pays the most ($89,140).
Physicists Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Physicists here earn $108,270 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $108,270 is roughly equivalent to $124,448 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($132,050), Massachusetts ($130,250), Colorado ($128,830) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota 17.7% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota 18.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota 22.5% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota 26.2% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota 26.8% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota 29.7% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota 29.8% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $74,900/yr South Dakota 30.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in South Dakota?
The average Physicists salary in South Dakota is $108,270 per year (median $83,050), which is 36.8% below the national average of $171,180.
How does South Dakota rank for Physicists pay?
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in South Dakota earn about $53,910 per year and the 25th percentile is $66,170.
How much do Physicists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $52.05 per hour, based on the $108,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 30 Physicists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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