How to Become an Exercise Physiologist in South Dakota: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median exercise physiologist salary in South Dakota is $51,630 per year - 13% below the national median of $59,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology.
Exercise Physiologist Salary in South Dakota
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| South Dakota entry level (10th percentile) | $48,390 |
| South Dakota 25th-75th percentile | $51,070 - $63,820 |
| South Dakota median | $51,630 |
| South Dakota top earners (90th percentile) | $71,540 |
| U.S. median | $59,460 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 30.
The South Dakota Job Market: Exercise Physiologist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in South Dakota | 30 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.07 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.21 |
| Mean annual wage in South Dakota | $57,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.21, South Dakota employs exercise physiologists at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in South Dakota
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology - while licensing runs through South Dakota’s own boards: Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard. Verify current requirements with the South Dakota licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become an Exercise Physiologist.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,760 |
| 25th | $49,620 |
| 50th (median) | $59,460 |
| 75th | $67,230 |
| 90th | $80,560 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,900 |
| 2034 projected | 26,100 |
| Percent change | +9.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an exercise physiologist make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists in South Dakota is $51,630 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% below the national median of $59,460.
How do I become an exercise physiologist in South Dakota?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in exercise science or kinesiology - with licensing administered at the state level: Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard. See the steps below.
How many exercise physiologists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts about 30 exercise physiologists employed in South Dakota (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Exercise Physiologist in Nearby States
- Exercise Physiologist in Pennsylvania
- Exercise Physiologist in South Carolina
- Exercise Physiologist in Tennessee
- Exercise Physiologist in Texas
Related
- How to Become an Exercise Physiologist (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128), South Dakota and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |