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

Massage Therapist Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median massage therapist salary in Rapid City, SD is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$44,874
vs State Avg
+$997
vs National
$-4,986
Cost of Living
90%

Massage Therapist Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median massage therapist salary of $44,874, which is $997 above the South Dakota state average of $43,877. Compared to the national median of $49,860, 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 massage therapists in Rapid City spans from $25,200 at the 10th percentile to $79,200 at the 90th percentile — a $54,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,000, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,800. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,900
$-5,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $25,200
25th Percentile $32,400
Median (50th) $44,874
75th Percentile $61,200
90th Percentile $79,200

Massage Therapist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$45,871
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$42,880
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$41,882
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$40,885
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Rapid City

Education

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

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open massage therapist positions in Rapid City, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $25,200 (10th percentile) to $79,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,874, a massage therapist in Rapid City earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Rapid City's median massage therapist salary of $44,874 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $43,877. 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 massage therapist salary of $44,874 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Rapid City? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Rapid City require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.