Veterinarian Salary in Rapid City, SD: $95,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Rapid City, SD earns a median $95,437/year (≈ $45.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $107,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Rapid City, South Dakota, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $95,437, significantly below the national average of $137,334. Salary ranges here will vary notably, with entry-level positions starting at $66,281 (P10) and experienced professionals commanding up to $134,114 (P90). This salary data is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting trends for the upcoming year. The differences in compensation reflect the corporate versus independent practice divide, with corporate practices often providing higher salaries but potentially lower autonomy for veterinary professionals. As veterinary care continues to evolve amid corporate consolidation, understanding these compensation structures will be critical for job seekers in Rapid City's market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,281 | $31.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,046 | $38.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,437 | $45.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,294 | $52.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,114 | $64.48 |
Median Salary Position
30.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,833 (2026 est.). At $95,437, the local median is 30.51% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Veterinarian Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $95,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $127,419 | -25.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -30.51% less |
Veterinarians in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $95,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.51% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 25.10% below the South Dakota state average of $127,419.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $95,437 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,880
2025 BLS Actual
$90,410
2026 Current Est.
$95,437
2019–2027 Growth
+20.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 7.8% from $83,880 (2019) to $90,410 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,863 (20.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,281 – $80,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,046 – $95,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,437 – $108,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,294 – $134,114 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Rapid City
With around 60 veterinarians actively employed in the Rapid City area, local job prospects remain moderately strong, but the cost of living factor cannot be overlooked. The city has a cost-of-living index of 89.16, indicating that daily expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of a veterinarian's salary. Among different employers, corporate chains such as VCA and NVA generally offer more competitive pay, creating a market where large animal and mixed practices may struggle to match these figures. Pay disparities are influenced by factors like specialty certifications, where board-certified veterinarians can earn significantly more than generalists. For those in Rapid City looking to boost their earnings, pursuing specialty board certifications and considering corporate employment may provide promising pathways to higher compensation in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Rapid City?
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $90,410 for veterinariansin the Rapid City metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov