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Average salary by job family in Rapid City
| Management | $125,990 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $103,850 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $99,140 |
| Legal | $94,300 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $88,990 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $84,710 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $74,680 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $60,030 |
| Protective Service | $57,260 |
| Construction and Extraction | $54,880 |
| Community and Social Service | $54,340 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $51,360 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $49,150 |
| Sales and Related | $48,810 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $47,190 |
| Production | $46,350 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $44,570 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $43,560 |
| Healthcare Support | $41,700 |
| Personal Care and Service | $37,980 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $35,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $32,630 |
Highest-paying jobs in Rapid City
- Chief Executives$357,500
- Family Medicine Physicians$272,480
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$214,600
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$186,070
- Financial Managers$174,910
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$171,240
- Dentists, General$163,710
- General and Operations Managers$149,450
- Natural Sciences Managers$141,260
- Pharmacists$139,490
Most common jobs in Rapid City and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 3,090 | $38,260 | $33,350 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,860 | $30,880 | $29,440 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,480 | $84,070 | $79,380 |
| Cashiers | 1,980 | $31,480 | $30,460 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 1,720 | $46,620 | $46,810 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,580 | $36,420 | $37,150 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,520 | $35,450 | $34,880 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,430 | $31,570 | $29,020 |
| Nursing Assistants | 1,280 | $40,150 | $38,500 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 1,240 | $38,180 | $37,990 |
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Cost of living in Rapid City
Prices in the Rapid City area are 11% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 89.2 for 2024. The average local salary of $57,850 therefore buys what $64,883 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $374,117, 5.2 times the median household income of $71,985.
$374,117typical home value
$71,985median household income
89.2BEA price parity
151,064metro population
Take-home pay in Rapid City
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $34,920 | $30,238 | $2,520 |
| Median wage | $46,270 | $39,358 | $3,280 |
| Average wage | $57,850 | $48,662 | $4,055 |
| 75th percentile wage | $64,780 | $54,229 | $4,519 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Salaries for every job in Rapid City
Management21 jobs
- Chief Executives$358K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$186K
- Financial Managers$175K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$171K
- General and Operations Managers$149K
- Natural Sciences Managers$141K
- Sales Managers$138K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$135K
- Managers, All Other$125K
- Human Resources Managers$125K
- Construction Managers$123K
- Administrative Services Managers$113K
- Facilities Managers$109K
- Industrial Production Managers$108K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$103K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$95K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$88K
- Social and Community Service Managers$86K
- Food Service Managers$63K
- Lodging Managers$63K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$54K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical26 jobs
- Family Medicine Physicians$272K
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$215K
- Dentists, General$164K
- Pharmacists$139K
- Physician Assistants$130K
- Nurse Practitioners$121K
- Occupational Therapists$96K
- Physical Therapists$95K
- Chiropractors$94K
- Veterinarians$92K
- Dental Hygienists$87K
- Registered Nurses$84K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$83K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$76K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$71K
- Surgical Technologists$62K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$59K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$57K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$56K
- Medical Records Specialists$55K
- Pharmacy Technicians$48K
- Paramedics$48K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$43K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$43K
- Opticians, Dispensing$41K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$39K
Computer and Mathematical8 jobs
Legal3 jobs
Architecture and Engineering10 jobs
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$113K
- Electrical Engineers$109K
- Civil Engineers$101K
- Mechanical Engineers$100K
- Environmental Engineers$96K
- Industrial Engineers$86K
- Surveyors$83K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$58K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$58K
Business and Financial Operations21 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$119K
- Management Analysts$103K
- Credit Analysts$92K
- Logisticians$90K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$90K
- Project Management Specialists$88K
- Accountants and Auditors$86K
- Compliance Officers$84K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$83K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$83K
- Loan Officers$83K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$82K
- Budget Analysts$79K
- Human Resources Specialists$79K
- Cost Estimators$74K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$73K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$71K
- Training and Development Specialists$67K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$66K
- Tax Preparers$57K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$49K
Life, Physical, and Social Science9 jobs
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists$95K
- Soil and Plant Scientists$84K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$84K
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$80K
- Conservation Scientists$74K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$73K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$70K
- Foresters$67K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$63K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair20 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$86K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$86K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$82K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$77K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$70K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$67K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$65K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$65K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$64K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$62K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$61K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$57K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$56K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$56K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$54K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$50K
- Motorcycle Mechanics$49K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$49K
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$44K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$38K
Protective Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$109K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$90K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$66K
- Transportation Security Screeners$57K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$54K
- Firefighters$54K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$51K
- Security Guards$42K
- School Bus Monitors$34K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$33K
Construction and Extraction20 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$72K
- Electricians$61K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$56K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$53K
- Carpenters$52K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$52K
- Sheet Metal Workers$51K
- Pipelayers$50K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$50K
- Glaziers$49K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$49K
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall$49K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48K
- Roofers$47K
- Construction Laborers$44K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$36K
- Helpers--Electricians$36K
- Helpers--Carpenters$34K
Community and Social Service10 jobs
- Healthcare Social Workers$69K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$67K
- Health Education Specialists$61K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$52K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$52K
- Community Health Workers$47K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$46K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$45K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$38K
Educational Instruction and Library17 jobs
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$71K
- Instructional Coordinators$64K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$59K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$59K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$59K
- Tutors$59K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$57K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$57K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$57K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$56K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$56K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$56K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$54K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$43K
- Library Technicians$37K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$31K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$28K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media10 jobs
Sales and Related13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$108K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$97K
- Insurance Sales Agents$83K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$83K
- Advertising Sales Agents$69K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$61K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$57K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$52K
- Parts Salespersons$45K
- Travel Agents$45K
- Retail Salespersons$38K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$36K
- Cashiers$31K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
Production21 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$71K
- Plant and System Operators, All Other$62K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$56K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$54K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$53K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$52K
- Machinists$51K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$51K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers$44K
- Printing Press Operators$44K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$42K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$41K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$41K
- Bakers$38K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$37K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$35K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$34K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$88K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$60K
- Driver/Sales Workers$48K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$48K
- Light Truck Drivers$45K
- Bus Drivers, School$44K
- Airfield Operations Specialists$41K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$36K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$36K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$35K
- Parking Attendants$34K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$33K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$29K
Office and Administrative Support29 jobs
- Cargo and Freight Agents$67K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61K
- Postal Service Clerks$56K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$56K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$53K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$53K
- Bill and Account Collectors$52K
- Procurement Clerks$51K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$51K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$49K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$49K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$48K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$47K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47K
- Order Clerks$47K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$45K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$45K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$43K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$42K
- Office Clerks, General$41K
- Tellers$40K
- Customer Service Representatives$39K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$38K
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$37K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$31K
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Physical Therapist Assistants$53K
- Medical Transcriptionists$52K
- Dental Assistants$49K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$49K
- Massage Therapists$49K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$46K
- Medical Assistants$41K
- Nursing Assistants$40K
- Phlebotomists$39K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$39K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$33K
Personal Care and Service12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$52K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$48K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$45K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$44K
- Recreation Workers$44K
- Skincare Specialists$39K
- Tour and Travel Guides$36K
- Animal Caretakers$34K
- Childcare Workers$32K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$32K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$31K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$62K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$47K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$42K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$31K
Food Preparation and Serving Related13 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$47K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$41K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$38K
- Cooks, Restaurant$37K
- Cooks, Short Order$34K
- Bartenders$33K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$32K
- Waiters and Waitresses$32K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$32K
- Food Preparation Workers$31K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$31K
- Cooks, Fast Food$30K
- Dishwashers$30K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Rapid City: questions
What is a good salary in Rapid City?
Half of all workers in the Rapid City metro earn less than $46,270 and the average is $57,850. Earning more than $64,780 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Rapid City to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $63,082, because prices here are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 89.2).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rapid City?
Chief Executives ($357,500), Family Medicine Physicians ($272,480), Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric ($214,600).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Rapid City, SD (39660), all occupations and 308 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.