Science & Research Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Epidemiologist Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median epidemiologist salary in Brookings, SD is $67,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$67,527
vs State Avg
$-1,571
vs National
$-10,993
Cost of Living
86%

Epidemiologist Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median epidemiologist salary of $67,527, which is $1,571 below the South Dakota state average of $69,098. Compared to the national median of $78,520, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $67,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $78,520 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for epidemiologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Brookings spans from $43,000 at the 10th percentile to $108,360 at the 90th percentile — a $65,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,200. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Epidemiologist Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,800
$-11,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,200
$-16,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $43,000
25th Percentile $53,320
Median (50th) $67,527
75th Percentile $86,860
90th Percentile $108,360

Epidemiologist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$72,238
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$70,668
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$65,957
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$64,386
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Brookings

Education

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

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Brookings

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Brookings, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Brookings

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $67,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $43,000 (10th percentile) to $108,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $67,527, a epidemiologist in Brookings earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Brookings's median epidemiologist salary of $67,527 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $69,098. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a epidemiologist salary of $67,527 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Brookings? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Brookings require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.