Healthcare Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Physical Therapist Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median physical therapist salary in Brookings, SD is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$84,039
vs State Avg
$-1,955
vs National
$-13,681
Cost of Living
86%

Physical Therapist Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)

Brookings offers a median physical therapist salary of $84,039, which is $1,955 below the South Dakota state average of $85,994. Compared to the national median of $97,720, 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 $84,039 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $97,720 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for physical therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physical therapists in Brookings spans from $57,448 at the 10th percentile to $111,972 at the 90th percentile — a $54,524 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,480, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,080. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physical Therapist Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $58,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,480
$-9,520 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,280
$-13,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,080
$-17,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $57,448
25th Percentile $68,972
Median (50th) $84,039
75th Percentile $100,104
90th Percentile $111,972

Physical Therapist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$89,902
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$87,948
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$82,085
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$80,130
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Brookings

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Brookings

Browse open physical therapist positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Brookings

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $84,039 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $57,448 (10th percentile) to $111,972 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $84,039, a physical therapist in Brookings earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Brookings's median physical therapist salary of $84,039 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $85,994. 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 physical therapist salary of $84,039 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Brookings? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Brookings require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.