Chiropractor Salary in South Dakota: $76,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median chiropractor pay sits at $76,440/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1011. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,371 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($78,120), Sioux Falls ($75,780), Watertown ($70,672).
In South Dakota, chiropractor salaries show a marked difference when compared to national averages. The projected average median salary for chiropractors in the state is $76,440 in 2026, which is 5.6% lower than the national median of $81,014. Salary variation is evident across different cities, with Rapid City offering the highest at $79,909, while Huron reports the lowest at $69,333, creating a gap of $10,576. This disparity is driven by factors such as local demand for chiropractic services, population density, and the economic conditions in each city. The state requires chiropractors to obtain licensure to practice, which entails passing national board exams and meeting specific educational standards, ensuring that practitioners are well-qualified. Additionally, the scope of practice laws in South Dakota allow for a broad range of treatments, which can enhance job opportunities. There are currently 185 employed chiropractors in the state, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.29%, indicating a positive outlook for job availability. Key cities projected for employment growth include Sioux Falls at $77,515, Watertown at $72,290, Yankton at $72,268, and Spearfish at $72,087, reflecting the varied demand for chiropractic care across the state.
South Dakota Chiropractor Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $40,967 (lowest entry-level) to $137,979 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota chiropractors earn 5.65% less than the national median ($-4,574/year difference).
South Dakota Chiropractor Salary Distribution (2026)
Chiropractor salaries in South Dakota range from $57,822 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $108,448 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,440. The South Dakota median is $4,574 below the US national median of $81,014. The average hourly rate is $36.76/hr. Approximately 185 chiropractors are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,324
2025 BLS Actual
$74,729
2026 Current Est.
$76,440
2019–2027 Growth
+6.6%
Salary Trajectory for Chiropractors in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,979 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,299 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median chiropractor salary grew 1.9% from $73,324 (2019) to $74,729 (2025). At a 2.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,867 (6.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $69,333 |
| Vermillion | $69,441 |
| Brookings | $69,458 |
| Pierre | $70,633 |
| Aberdeen | $71,446 |
Best Value Cities for Chiropractors in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for chiropractors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $79,909 | 89.16 | $89,624 |
| Sioux Falls | $77,515 | 90.631 | $85,528 |
| Watertown | $72,290 | 92.8 | $77,899 |
| Yankton | $72,268 | 92.8 | $77,875 |
| Spearfish | $72,087 | 92.8 | $77,680 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,822 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,440 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $108,448 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $79,909 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $77,515 |
| 3 | Watertown | $72,290 |
| 4 | Yankton | $72,268 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $72,087 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $71,566 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $71,446 |
| 8 | Pierre | $70,633 |
| 9 | Brookings | $69,458 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $69,441 |
| 11 | Huron | $69,333 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore chiropractor hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced chiropractors.
Explore More Chiropractor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do chiropractors make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for chiropractors in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota chiropractor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level chiropractor salary in South Dakota?
How many chiropractors are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for chiropractors?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, D.C.
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience as a chiropractor. She specializes in sports injuries and practices in a private clinic. Maria also conducts workshops for community health education.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 chiropractor compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more chiropractorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for chiropractors (SOC 29-1011).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, D.C., a licensed chiropractor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov