Healthcare Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Physician Assistant Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median physician assistant salary in Aberdeen, SD is $105,848 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$105,848
vs State Avg
$-5,041
vs National
$-20,162
Cost of Living
84%

Physician Assistant Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median physician assistant salary of $105,848, which is $5,041 below the South Dakota state average of $110,889. Compared to the national median of $126,010, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $105,848 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,010 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Aberdeen spans from $70,560 at the 10th percentile to $146,160 at the 90th percentile — a $75,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,080. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physician Assistant Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,080 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-14,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,840
$-20,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$136,080
$-25,920 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $70,560
25th Percentile $89,040
Median (50th) $105,848
75th Percentile $126,840
90th Percentile $146,160

Physician Assistant Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$115,929
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$113,409
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$108,369
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$103,328
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Aberdeen

Education

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

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Aberdeen may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open physician assistant positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $105,848 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $70,560 (10th percentile) to $146,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,848, a physician assistant in Aberdeen earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median physician assistant salary of $105,848 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $110,889. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a physician assistant salary of $105,848 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Aberdeen? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Aberdeen require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.