Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salary in Rapid City, SD: $66,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time clinical and counseling psychologist in Rapid City, SD earns a median $66,957/year (≈ $32.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 19-3033). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $75,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.7% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the employment landscape for clinical and counseling psychologists reflects a modest figure, with approximately 30 professionals working in the area. The 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $66,957, considerably lower than the national median of $105,689. The salary range for these positions extends from $66,463 at the 10th percentile to $124,909 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This disparity suggests a local market that may not be saturated, but it also indicates a distinct gap in compensation compared to national figures. The demand for these professionals in Rapid City might still provide growth opportunities for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,463 | $31.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,873 | $32.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,957 | $32.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,627 | $56.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,909 | $60.05 |
Median Salary Position
36.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the clinical and counseling psychologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,446 (2026 est.). At $66,957, the local median is 36.65% below the national median of $105,689.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rapid City Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $66,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $98,034 | -31.70% less |
| National Average | $105,689 | -36.65% less |
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $66,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.65% lower than the national median of $105,689 and 31.70% below the South Dakota state average of $98,034.
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 clinical and counseling psychologist earning $66,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,098 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$52,272
2025 BLS Actual
$63,720
2026 Current Est.
$66,957
2021–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Clinical and Counseling Psychologists in Rapid City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.08% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $52,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,872 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,358 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median clinical and counseling psychologist salary grew 21.9% from $52,272 (2021) to $63,720 (2025). At a 5.08% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,358 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,086 (34.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) 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 5.08% CAGR derived from 5-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) | $66,463 – $66,873 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,873 – $66,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,957 – $117,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,627 – $124,909 |
CCP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual clinical and counseling psychologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Job Market in Rapid City
Examining the job market in Rapid City reveals that the cost of living index is 89.16, which is below the national average. This means that, despite lower salaries, psychologists can enjoy somewhat better purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Typically, private practices and large healthcare organizations in the city offer higher compensation compared to community health centers and specialty clinics. The variance in pay can also be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specialization credentials, and the overall size of the employer. To maximize earning potential, clinical and counseling psychologists in Rapid City SD should consider furthering their qualifications or seeking positions in larger institutions, as these strategies could enhance their clinical and counseling psychologist pay in Rapid City.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clinical and counseling psychologists make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to work as a clinical and counseling psychologist?
Can clinical and counseling psychologists make $100K in Rapid City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted clinical and counseling psychologist salary in Rapid City?
How much does a clinical and counseling psychologist make per hour in Rapid City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
Written by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in clinical psychology. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy. Maria works at a mental health clinic in Chicago.
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 $63,720 for clinical and counseling psychologistsin the Rapid City metropolitan area. A 5.08% 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, 4-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 5.08%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for clinical and counseling psychologists (SOC 19-3033).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, a licensed clinical and counseling psychologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov