"How long does it take to become a physical therapy aide in South Dakota?"

"Most paths into the physical therapy aide field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do physical therapy aides need a license in South Dakota?"

"Yes. South Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for physical therapy aides, administered by the South Dakota Board of Medical \u0026 Osteopathic Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for physical therapy aides in South Dakota?"

"In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in South Dakota

Q: "How much do physical therapy aides earn in South Dakota?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), physical therapy aides in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $31,330. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.53 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in South Dakota?"

"South Dakota currently employs approximately 70 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota physical therapist aides earn a median annual wage of $31,330 ($15.06/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 70 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -11.1% below the national median of $35,240 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $31,330 ($15.06/hr)
25th percentile: $30,590 per year
75th percentile: $42,070 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $44,770 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $24,010 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 70
Versus national median: -11.1% below the U.S. median of $35,240
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.53 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs approximately 70 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,330 ¹. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in South Dakota

How do I become a physical therapy aide in South Dakota? South Dakota requires credentials such as Physical Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapist. The licensing authority is the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do physical therapy aides earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in South Dakota is $31,330 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,010 and experienced professionals can earn $44,770 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
Median wage (South Dakota): $31,330 per year ¹

Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees physical therapy aide licensing in South Dakota ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Physical Therapy Assistants	A person who is a graduate of an accredited physical therapist assistant education program as determined by the board, who has passed a certification examination approved by the board, and who assists…
Physical Therapist	The practice of physical therapy is the examination and evaluation of patients with mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, functional limitation, and disability or other similar con…

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	50	$30,590	$32,990	$24,960	$41,600

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in South Dakota

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within South Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Sioux Falls	50	$30,590

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 70 physical therapy aides ¹. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a physical therapy aide in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Dakota.

How much do physical therapy aides earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in South Dakota is $31,330, which is $3,190 below the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.sdbmoe.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

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)