Radiologist Salary in South Dakota: $533,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median radiologist pay sits at $533,158/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1224. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $574,524 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($669,020), Rapid City ($395,081), Watertown ($375,539).

In 2026, radiologists in South Dakota are projected to earn an average median salary of $533,159, which is significantly higher than the national median of $441,903 by 20.7%. The variance across cities is notable, with the highest-paying location being Sioux Falls, where radiologists can expect salaries around $702,471. Conversely, Huron offers the lowest at $378,188, indicating a salary gap of $324,283. This difference may be driven by factors such as the concentration of healthcare facilities, local demand for radiological services, and the cost of living in each city. The job market for radiologists in South Dakota is expected to maintain a healthy growth rate of 5.00% annually, supported by increasing healthcare needs. Work in this field generally requires compliance with state licensing requirements and adherence to scope of practice laws, which can vary by state. Additionally, with only 111 radiologists currently employed statewide, there is potential for job openings as demand continues to rise. Cities like Rapid City, Watertown, Yankton, and Spearfish also present attractive salary figures, such as $414,835 and $394,316, reflecting a steady demand for radiological expertise throughout the state.
South Dakota Radiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $219,349 (lowest entry-level) to $702,471 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota radiologists earn 20.65% more than the national median (+$91,255/year difference).
South Dakota Radiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Radiologist salaries in South Dakota range from $236,199 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $609,034 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $533,158. The South Dakota median is $91,255 above the US national median of $441,903. The average hourly rate is $256.32/hr. Approximately 111 radiologists are employed across 11 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$417,743
2025 BLS Actual
$507,770
2026 Current Est.
$533,158
2021–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologists in South Dakota (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.00% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $417,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $438,631 | Actual |
| 2023 | $460,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $322,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $507,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $533,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $559,816 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median radiologist salary grew 21.6% from $417,743 (2021) to $507,770 (2025). At a 5.00% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $559,816 by 2027 — a total increase of $142,073 (34.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) 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 5.00% CAGR derived from 5-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 | $378,188 |
| Vermillion | $378,774 |
| Brookings | $378,866 |
| Pierre | $385,281 |
| Aberdeen | $389,716 |
Best Value Cities for Radiologists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for radiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $702,471 | 90.631 | $775,089 |
| Rapid City | $414,835 | 92.8 | $447,020 |
| Watertown | $394,316 | 92.8 | $424,909 |
| Yankton | $394,193 | 92.8 | $424,777 |
| Spearfish | $393,206 | 92.8 | $423,713 |
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) | $236,199 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $533,158 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $609,034 |
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 | Sioux Falls | $702,471 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $414,835 |
| 3 | Watertown | $394,316 |
| 4 | Yankton | $394,193 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $393,206 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $390,369 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $389,716 |
| 8 | Pierre | $385,281 |
| 9 | Brookings | $378,866 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $378,774 |
| 11 | Huron | $378,188 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore radiologist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced radiologists.
Explore More Radiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for radiologists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota radiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level radiologist salary in South Dakota?
How many radiologists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for radiologists?
Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has 10 years of experience in diagnostic radiology. She specializes in imaging techniques for oncology. She works at a regional medical center.
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 5.00% 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 radiologist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more radiologistscontribute 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, 2-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 5.00%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologists (SOC 29-1224).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed radiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov