Career Atlas USA

Careers in Rapid City, SD

Part of South Dakota.

Rapid City, SD’s regional price level is below the national average (index 89.16, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 2% · 80,596 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Chief Executives$301,420
  2. 2Family Medicine Physicians$230,530
  3. 3Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$211,990
  4. 4Architectural and Engineering Managers$196,800
  5. 5Computer and Information Systems Managers$163,860

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Retail Salespersons3,090 employed
  2. 2Fast Food and Counter Workers2,860 employed
  3. 3Registered Nurses2,480 employed
  4. 4Cashiers1,980 employed
  5. 5Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks1,720 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Choreographers27.28× national avg
  2. 2Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric15.81× national avg
  3. 3Forest and Conservation Workers14.65× national avg
  4. 4Atmospheric and Space Scientists12.28× national avg
  5. 5Motorcycle Mechanics10.91× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Chief Executives$338,066
  2. 2Family Medicine Physicians$258,558
  3. 3Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$237,764
  4. 4Architectural and Engineering Managers$220,727
  5. 5Computer and Information Systems Managers$183,782

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see South Dakota state page.