Science & Research Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Epidemiologist Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median epidemiologist salary in Rapid City, SD is $70,668 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$70,668
vs State Avg
+$1,570
vs National
$-7,852
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rapid City offers a median epidemiologist salary of $70,668, which is $1,570 above the South Dakota state average of $69,098. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 epidemiologists in Rapid City spans from $45,000 at the 10th percentile to $113,400 at the 90th percentile — a $68,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $46,800, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $108,000. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Epidemiologist Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $46,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$72,000
$-8,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$108,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $45,000
25th Percentile $55,800
Median (50th) $70,668
75th Percentile $90,900
90th Percentile $113,400

Epidemiologist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$72,238
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$67,527
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$65,957
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$64,386
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Rapid City

Education

Most epidemiologist positions require a master's degree. Rapid City 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 Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Rapid City, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $70,668 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $45,000 (10th percentile) to $113,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $70,668, a epidemiologist in Rapid City earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Rapid City's median epidemiologist salary of $70,668 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $69,098. 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 epidemiologist salary of $70,668 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Rapid City? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Rapid City 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.