Therapy recruiting · South Dakota
South Dakota physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiters
APT Recruiting fills PT, OT, SLP and audiology roles for hospitals, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics and schools in South Dakota. Below is the current federal picture of the South Dakota therapy workforce, what it is paid, where it works and how licensing across state lines applies, the same numbers we use when we take a search.
Therapy workforce
Who practices in South Dakota today
1,000
Physical therapists
+ 120 PTAs
523
Occupational therapists
+ 114 OTAs
623
Speech-language pathologists
86
Audiologists
Per 100,000 residents, South Dakota has 106.9 physical therapists, 55.9 occupational therapists, 66.6 speech-language pathologists and 9.2 audiologists.
Over the last 12 months the registry added 48 physical therapists, 20 occupational therapists, 31 speech-language pathologists and 5 audiologists with a practice address in South Dakota, plus 21 PTAs and OTAs. Newly enumerated providers are mostly new graduates and clinicians relocating in, which is the pool every open seat in South Dakota is competing for.
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain).
Pay
What therapists earn in South Dakota
| Role | Employed | Mean annual wage | Median | National mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical therapists | 1,060 | $93,200 | $92,660 | $105,280 |
| Physical therapist assistants | 300 | $52,170 | $49,310 | $68,730 |
| Occupational therapists | 490 | $88,150 | $85,050 | $101,280 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | 100 | $55,470 | $56,180 | $70,710 |
| Speech-language pathologists | 410 | $73,310 | $65,680 | $98,170 |
| Audiologists | 40 | $92,960 | $91,190 | $97,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
Facilities
96 Medicare-certified nursing homes and 23 home health agencies in South Dakota.
Nursing homes
96 facilities with 5,848 certified beds. Average overall CMS star rating 2.9 of 5. 32.3% are for-profit. Every one of them bills therapy minutes, and every one of them is hiring PTs, OTs and SLPs in the same market you are.
Home health agencies
23 agencies, average quality-of-care star rating 3.7 of 5. 100% offer physical therapy, 95.5% occupational therapy and 81.8% speech therapy, so most are staffing at least one therapy discipline and many all three.
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (nursing homes 4pq5-n9py, home health 6jpm-sxkc), pulled 2026-10-15.
Tell us about the openingLicensure compacts
Hiring across state lines into South Dakota
Issuing privileges
Physical Therapy Compact
South Dakota is a PT Compact member and is issuing compact privileges: physical therapists and physical therapist assistants licensed in another member state can obtain a privilege to practice in South Dakota without applying for a new state license.
All states on the PT Compact →Member, not yet issuing
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
South Dakota has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a South Dakota license for now.
All states on the OT Compact →Not a member
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
South Dakota is not a member of the ASLP-IC: audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in another state need a full South Dakota license before starting.
All states on the ASLP-IC →Source: ptcompact.org, otcompact.gov, aslpcompact.com, checked 2026-09-02.
For employers
Hiring in South Dakota? Physical therapy, OT and SLP recruiting, run by a clinician.
Engagement model
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
Speed to first candidates
Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Guarantee
Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Questions hiring managers and directors of rehab ask us
How does a therapy search with APT Recruiting work in South Dakota?+
It starts with a short call to take the brief: the discipline, the setting, the caseload and productivity expectations, the schedule and the pay range. Because APT is run by a licensed speech-language pathologist, the screen covers clinical fit, not just a license check. We then work the South Dakota market for PTs, OTs, SLPs or audiologists who match, confirm interest, and send you candidates who have already said yes to a conversation about your organization. Clients typically receive the first vetted candidates within one to two weeks of providing the recruiting brief and search requirements.
Do you work on contingency or retained?+
Contingency recruiting. There is no fee unless a successful placement is made.
What does it cost to hire through a therapy recruiter?+
Agreed in writing before you see a candidate's details. Every direct-hire placement carries a 90-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate resigns or is terminated for cause during the first ninety calendar days of employment, APT Recruiting immediately begins a one-time search for a replacement in the same position, at no additional charge.
Which roles and settings do you cover?+
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and audiologists, including PTAs, COTAs and SLPAs, plus directors of rehab and other therapy leadership. Settings in South Dakota include hospitals and acute rehab, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient clinics, schools and pediatrics, and telehealth. We also recruit nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Or email molly@aptrecruiting.com. Molly reads every brief herself.
Reviewed by a licensed SLP
Molly Salinas, M.S., CCC-SLP
The South Dakota figures on this page are drawn from public federal sources and reviewed by Molly, a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked across healthcare settings and founded APT Recruiting. She has recruited therapists for 3 years and works from Austin, Texas. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Metros
Therapy recruiting by metro in South Dakota
Hiring in South Dakota?
Tell us the discipline, the setting and the pay range. We will give you an honest read on the market before the search starts.