Healthcare Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Physician Assistant Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median physician assistant salary in Brookings, SD is $108,369 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$108,369
vs State Avg
$-2,520
vs National
$-17,641
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median physician assistant salary of $108,369, which is $2,520 below the South Dakota state average of $110,889. Compared to the national median of $126,010, 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 $108,369 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,010 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Brookings spans from $72,240 at the 10th percentile to $149,640 at the 90th percentile — a $77,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,680, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,320. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physician Assistant Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $75,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,680
$-12,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$108,360
$-17,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$139,320
$-22,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $72,240
25th Percentile $91,160
Median (50th) $108,369
75th Percentile $129,860
90th Percentile $149,640

Physician Assistant Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Brookings

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Brookings 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 Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Brookings

Browse open physician assistant positions in Brookings, SD:

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Brookings

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $108,369 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $72,240 (10th percentile) to $149,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,369, a physician assistant in Brookings earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Brookings's median physician assistant salary of $108,369 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $110,889. 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 physician assistant salary of $108,369 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Brookings? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Brookings 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.