PayByState

South Dakota · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in South Dakota

Median $37,380 · Top 10% earn $46,260+ · Roughly 2,292 workers in South Dakota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Dakota median
$37,380
$17.97/hr
Top 10%
$46,260
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$27,810
Entry-level range
Real pay
$41,765
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.5)

South Dakota pays modestly below the U.S. median for medical assistants — $37,380 versus the national median of $42,000. 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 2,292 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in South Dakota

South Dakota pays close to the U.S. median for medical 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 medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. South Dakota
#43 Tennessee $38,220 +$840
#42 Idaho $38,220 +$840
#41 Missouri $38,220 +$840
#44 South Dakota (this page) $37,380 —
#47 Louisiana $36,960 −$420
#48 Alabama $36,120 −$1,260
#49 West Virginia $36,120 −$1,260
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Education path for South Dakota

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the South Dakota median of $37,380, payback periods are typically 3.3 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

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

Medical Assistant salary in South Dakota — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in South Dakota?
The median medical assistant salary in South Dakota is $37,380 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $27,810; the top 10% earn $46,260 or more. About 2,292 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Dakota medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota's median of $37,380 is $4,620 below the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $41,765.
Is medical assistant a good career in South Dakota?
On the data: South Dakota employs roughly 2,292 medical assistants, with a median wage of $37,380 and the top decile clearing $46,260. The role is projected to grow +14% 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 medical assistants in South Dakota?
At the South Dakota median of $37,380 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $17.97/hr. The top 10% earn around $22.24/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $13.37/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Dakota-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical 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.