Physicists in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota physicists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $66,170 and $134,300, with a median of $83,050.
Physicists in South Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $72,250. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $62,878 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $251,133 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physicists in South Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST | 3 | $63,970 |
| Avera McKennan | Senior Diagnostic Physicist | 1 | $227,266 |
| Black Hills State University | POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST | 1 | $75,000 |
| Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc. | Medical Physicist | 1 | $275,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- RESEARCH SCIENTIST I at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology$63,970RAPID CITYDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25325-429405
- Senior Diagnostic Physicist at Avera McKennan$227,266Sioux FallsWage Level IIDecided Jun 17, 2025I-200-25161-074784
- Medical Physicist at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.$275,000Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25150-035841
- POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST at Black Hills State University$75,000SPEARFISHDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-955730
- RESEARCH SCIENTIST III at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology$69,500RAPID CITYDecided Jan 30, 2025I-200-25023-637340
- POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology$62,878RAPID CITYWage Level IDecided Nov 13, 2024I-200-24310-454158
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Physicists pay by experience level in South Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Physicists in South Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $66,735.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 4 | $66,735 |
| Healthcare | Avera McKennan | 2 | $251,133 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.6 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.3 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Perform complex calculations as part of the analysis and evaluation of data, using computers.
- 02
Analyze data from research conducted to detect and measure physical phenomena.
- 03
Describe and express observations and conclusions in mathematical terms.
- 04
Design computer simulations to model physical data so that it can be better understood.
- 05
Write research proposals to receive funding.
- 06
Teach physics to students.
- 07
Report experimental results by writing papers for scientific journals or by presenting information at scientific conferences.
- 08
Conduct research pertaining to potential environmental impacts of atomic energy-related industrial development to determine licensing qualifications.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physicists in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physicists in South Dakota is $83,050.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Physicists?
- The South Dakota median is -50.0% versus the BLS national figure of $166,057.
- What is the salary range for Physicists in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $53,910 and the 90th-percentile at $180,690, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physicists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physicists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.