PayByState

South Dakota · BLS SOC 31-9091

Dental Assistant salary in South Dakota

Median $42,140 · Top 10% earn $51,150+ · Roughly 1,131 workers in South Dakota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Dakota median
$42,140
$20.26/hr
Top 10%
$51,150
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$29,470
Entry-level range
Real pay
$47,084
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.5)

South Dakota pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental assistants — $42,140 versus the national median of $47,350. South Dakota's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,131 dental assistants.

What drives dental assistant pay in South Dakota

South Dakota pays close to the U.S. median for dental assistants. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

South Dakota ranks #44 of 50 states

Where South Dakota sits in the national distribution for dental assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. South Dakota
#43 Tennessee $43,090 +$950
#42 Idaho $43,090 +$950
#41 Missouri $43,090 +$950
#44 South Dakota (this page) $42,140 —
#47 Louisiana $41,670 −$470
#48 Alabama $40,720 −$1,420
#49 West Virginia $40,720 −$1,420
See all 50 states →

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Education path for South Dakota

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (8–12 mo); on-the-job in some states, taking about 10 months. Tuition ranges from $1,000 (community college) to $12,000 (private accelerated). On the South Dakota median of $42,140, payback periods are typically 1.2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with South Dakota selected.

Dental Assistant salary in South Dakota — FAQ

What is the average dental assistant salary in South Dakota?
The median dental assistant salary in South Dakota is $42,140 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $29,470; the top 10% earn $51,150 or more. About 1,131 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Dakota dental assistant pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota's median of $42,140 is $5,210 below the U.S. national median of $47,350. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $47,084.
Is dental assistant a good career in South Dakota?
On the data: South Dakota employs roughly 1,131 dental assistants, with a median wage of $42,140 and the top decile clearing $51,150. The role is projected to grow +7% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental assistants in South Dakota?
At the South Dakota median of $42,140 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $20.26/hr. The top 10% earn around $24.59/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $14.17/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Dakota-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9091: Dental Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where South Dakota's RPP is 89.5 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.