Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $64.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Rapid City, SD runs $64.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,081 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $72.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,054 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, SD, the median hourly pay for physician assistants reaches $64.95, which is slightly below the national median of $67.50. This salary is significant for those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, typical in settings like hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. Part-time PAs working three days a week can still achieve a competitive income, with pay varying from $48.24 for entry-level positions to $78.46 for more experienced practitioners. Official estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggest a robust pay structure that illustrates both the commitment and expertise required in this vital healthcare role.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.24 | $385.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.30 | $450.39 |
| Median (P50) | $64.95 | $519.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.22 | $577.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.46 | $627.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $64.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.95/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $135,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,936. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,597.88 | $11,257 | $135,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.73 | $6,754 | $81,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,039.15 | $4,503 | $54,036 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Rapid City) | $64.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $135,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.78% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.70% above the South Dakota state average of $130,261.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.95/hr = $81,054/year (purchasing power: $90,908).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,090/year (purchasing power: $151,514).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Rapid City grew 26.7% from $49.60/hr (2019) to $62.86/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.10/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Rapid City
Earning potential as a part-time physician assistant in Rapid City presents distinct financial opportunities. A PA working a 24-hour week could bring home an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still find that their hourly pay could complement a flexible lifestyle. Those taking on per-diem roles can earn significantly more; locum tenens PAs often bill between $75 and $130 per hour, depending on specialty, while surgical PAs in orthopedics can command up to $1,800 for a day's work. In Rapid City, hourly rates can vary considerably based on the employer type, with hospitals typically offering employment benefits while specialty practices might provide higher pay but less security. Understanding these nuances can help PAs negotiate their work arrangements effectively, balancing benefits against hourly pay when determining their career path within the framework established by entities like the AAPA.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Rapid City in 2026?
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Rapid City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov