Locum Physician Compensation in South Dakota
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
South Dakota — Benchmark Rates by Specialty
Median hourly rates in $/hr. Region: Midwest.
| Specialty | Urban Hospital — MedianUrban Median | Rural / Critical Access — MedianRural Median |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $342/hr | $395/hr |
| Cardiology | $333/hr | $289/hr |
| Dermatology | $345/hr | $300/hr |
| Emergency Medicine | $274/hr | $297/hr |
| Family Medicine | $143/hr | $165/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $382/hr | $400/hr |
| General Surgery | $399/hr | $347/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $401/hr | $420/hr |
| Hospitalist | $192/hr | $222/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $155/hr | $175/hr |
| Neonatology | $216/hr | $258/hr |
| Neurology | $301/hr | $332/hr |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $279/hr | $315/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $457/hr | $398/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $331/hr | $346/hr |
| Pain Management | $374/hr | $391/hr |
| Pathology | $378/hr | $329/hr |
| Pediatrics | $155/hr | $171/hr |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $201/hr | $210/hr |
| Psychiatry | $227/hr | $280/hr |
| Radiology | $398/hr | $346/hr |
| Urology | $374/hr | $391/hr |
Highest-Paying Specialties in South Dakota
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $483/hr |
| Radiology | $422/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $395/hr |
| General Surgery | $392/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $378/hr |
South Dakota Market Overview
No state income tax. South Dakota does not tax earned income. At a $200/hr locum rate, your take-home advantage over a 10% state tax state is approximately $20/hr before federal taxes.
South Dakota has a small overall physician workforce, concentrated in Sioux Falls (Sanford Health, Avera McKennan) and Rapid City (Rapid City Regional Hospital). The vast interior and western counties, including the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Lakota Sioux reservations, have acute physician shortages in primary care, OB/GYN, and behavioral health. South Dakota's Indian Health Service facilities generate consistent high-demand locum opportunities. The state's compact participation facilitates physician travel from neighboring Midwest states for rural coverage.
Licensing: South Dakota participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in South Dakota without a separate SD license application.