Creative & Education Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Archivist Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median archivist salary in Rapid City, SD is $52,776 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$52,776
vs State Avg
+$1,173
vs National
$-5,864
Cost of Living
90%

Archivist Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median archivist salary of $52,776, which is $1,173 above the South Dakota state average of $51,603. Compared to the national median of $58,640, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for archivists in Rapid City spans from $32,400 at the 10th percentile to $84,600 at the 90th percentile — a $52,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $34,200, while senior archivists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $79,200. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Archivist Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level archivist earns around $34,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $79,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$54,000
$-6,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$79,200
$-8,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $32,400
25th Percentile $41,400
Median (50th) $52,776
75th Percentile $68,400
90th Percentile $84,600

Archivist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Archivist in Rapid City

Education

Most archivist positions require a master's degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Archival ScienceCatalogingDigital PreservationResearchDatabase ManagementMetadata

Job Outlook

Nationally, archivist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Archivist Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open archivist positions in Rapid City, SD:

Frequently Asked Questions: Archivist Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Archivist make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median archivist salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $52,776 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $58,640. Salaries range from $32,400 (10th percentile) to $84,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Archivist make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,776, a archivist in Rapid City earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for archivist pay? ▼
Rapid City's median archivist salary of $52,776 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $51,603. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a archivist salary of $52,776 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a archivist in Rapid City? ▼
Most archivist positions in Rapid City require a master's degree. Key skills include Archival Science, Cataloging, Digital Preservation, Research. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.