Personal Care & Fitness Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Esthetician Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median esthetician salary in Rapid City, SD is $34,380 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$34,380
vs State Avg
+$764
vs National
$-3,820
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rapid City offers a median esthetician salary of $34,380, which is $764 above the South Dakota state average of $33,616. Compared to the national median of $38,200, 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 estheticians in Rapid City spans from $21,600 at the 10th percentile to $58,500 at the 90th percentile — a $36,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,400, while senior estheticians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $55,800. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Esthetician Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level esthetician earns around $23,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $55,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,400
$-2,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$35,100
$-3,900 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $21,600
25th Percentile $27,000
Median (50th) $34,380
75th Percentile $46,800
90th Percentile $58,500

Esthetician Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$35,144
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$32,852
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$32,088
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$31,324
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Esthetician in Rapid City

Education

Most esthetician positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SkincareFacial TreatmentsProduct KnowledgeClient ConsultationSanitationAnatomy

Job Outlook

Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 17% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Esthetician Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open esthetician positions in Rapid City, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Esthetician Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Esthetician make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median esthetician salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $34,380 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $38,200. Salaries range from $21,600 (10th percentile) to $58,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Esthetician make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,380, a esthetician in Rapid City earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for esthetician pay? ▼
Rapid City's median esthetician salary of $34,380 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $33,616. 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 esthetician salary of $34,380 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a esthetician in Rapid City? ▼
Most esthetician positions in Rapid City require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Skincare, Facial Treatments, Product Knowledge, Client Consultation. The job market is projected to grow 17% nationally over the next decade.