Occupational Therapist.
Sioux Falls.
$73,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$60,000 to $88,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
The median Occupational Therapist salary in Sioux Falls is $73,000, 15% below the national average. Entry level starts near $60,000. Experienced professionals push past $88,000. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a growing financial services hub, home to major credit card operations for Citibank and Wells Fargo. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $66,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$47,000
to $58,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$62,000
to $77,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$80,000
to $95,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$91,000
to $113,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $19,000 to the total package.
Base
$73,000
Equity
$11,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $92,000
How Sioux Falls compares
Sioux Falls, SD
$73,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$86,000
Sioux Falls is $13,000 below
Occupational Therapist salary by city
Salary by role in Sioux Falls
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Occupational Therapist offer in Sioux Falls, understand the terrain. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a growing financial services hub, home to major credit card operations for Citibank and Wells Fargo. The city's no state income tax and very low cost of living create exceptional take home pay ratios. Healthcare and agriculture round out the economy. Practice setting is the primary salary driver, with acute care hospitals and home health paying above outpatient and school-based roles. Hand therapy certification commands a notable premium. States with higher Medicaid reimbursement rates and metropolitan areas with greater demand also push compensation upward.
New OTs start around $68,000 to $78,000 depending on setting. Mid-career OTs with specialty certifications reach $88,000 to $100,000. OT directors or program managers in hospital systems can earn $105,000 to $125,000 with administrative and clinical oversight responsibilities. In Sioux Falls, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. OTs typically receive CEU allowances, student loan assistance programs, and comprehensive health benefits. Some employers offer productivity bonuses tied to billable units, adding $3,000 to $8,000 annually for high-performing therapists. And on the tax side: south Dakota has no state income tax. Sioux Falls has no city income tax. This zero income tax environment is a major draw for high earners seeking maximum take home pay. When someone quotes you $73,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the zero income tax advantage in negotiations. Sioux Falls employers know this is a major recruiting tool and will frame compensation accordingly. The range for Occupational Therapists in Sioux Falls runs from $60,000 to $88,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Business Analyst in Sioux Falls earns $72,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Sioux Falls is Chief AI Officer at $253,000
Common questions.
Occupational Therapist salary in other cities
Other salaries in Sioux Falls
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.