Highest paying jobs in Rapid City, SD
The best paying occupations in the Rapid City, SD metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 10.8% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianRapid City, SD | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $301,420 | $169,450 – $537,180 | 70 |
| 2 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $230,530 | $191,470 – $378,520 | 130 |
| 3 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $211,990 | $211,990 – $211,990 | 70 |
| 4 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $196,800 | $127,930 – $229,250 | 80 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $163,860 | $119,370 – $240,550 | — |
| 6 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $160,280 | $116,840 – $226,910 | 120 |
| 7 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $158,140 | $94,560 – $250,780 | 90 |
| 8 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $140,340 | $104,210 – $161,560 | 210 |
| 9 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $134,010 | $69,260 – $222,570 | 80 |
| 10 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $130,740 | $97,110 – $157,950 | 150 |
| 11 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,410 | $80,890 – $243,700 | 700 |
| 12 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,960 | $94,520 – $255,850 | 30 |
| 13 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $124,160 | $91,640 – $153,280 | 190 |
| 14 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $122,930 | $85,440 – $189,450 | 190 |
| 15 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $120,560 | $92,880 – $158,600 | 240 |
| 16 | Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree | $115,600 | $62,520 – $165,050 | 40 |
| 17 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $109,350 | $72,610 – $193,520 | 90 |
| 18 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $108,030 | $70,140 – $162,900 | 90 |
| 19 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $107,200 | $69,230 – $153,900 | 80 |
| 20 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,990 | $88,960 – $176,060 | 40 |
| 21 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $105,330 | $76,500 – $145,570 | 110 |
| 22 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $104,480 | $78,820 – $132,430 | 40 |
| 23 | Atmospheric and Space ScientistsBachelor's degree | $104,380 | $67,600 – $115,920 | 60 |
| 24 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $104,350 | $75,390 – $152,180 | 130 |
| 25 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $103,830 | $57,560 – $188,870 | 110 |
| 26 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $103,760 | $81,190 – $169,360 | 70 |
| 27 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $102,660 | $76,880 – $138,980 | 70 |
| 28 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $102,650 | $78,480 – $137,240 | 50 |
| 29 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $100,420 | $77,000 – $132,120 | 70 |
| 30 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,300 | $72,840 – $125,430 | 350 |
| 31 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $99,430 | $77,790 – $209,990 | 260 |
| 32 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $99,120 | $74,930 – $106,520 | 80 |
| 33 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent | $97,170 | $57,870 – $113,060 | 40 |
| 34 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $96,370 | $76,860 – $109,270 | 90 |
| 35 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $95,220 | $49,720 – $116,190 | 120 |
| 36 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,540 | $55,880 – $161,550 | 30 |
| 37 | Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree | $94,370 | $63,560 – $119,430 | 30 |
| 38 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $94,180 | $70,590 – $136,640 | 140 |
| 39 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $94,120 | $79,470 – $115,210 | 190 |
| 40 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $92,710 | $60,880 – $165,170 | 510 |
| 41 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $91,890 | $70,420 – $97,590 | 120 |
| 42 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $91,840 | $72,120 – $148,350 | 270 |
| 43 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $90,410 | $62,790 – $127,050 | 60 |
| 44 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $86,160 | $37,010 – $112,260 | 50 |
| 45 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $86,150 | $49,120 – $113,430 | 60 |
| 46 | Social and Community Service ManagersBachelor's degree | $83,550 | $62,400 – $111,990 | 80 |
| 47 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except GamblingBachelor's degree | $82,620 | $60,180 – $123,230 | 30 |
| 48 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $81,840 | $67,620 – $97,660 | 50 |
| 49 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $81,480 | $69,240 – $110,220 | 70 |
| 50 | Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award | $81,400 | $52,710 – $88,800 | 50 |