PayByState

South Dakota · BLS SOC 29-2035

MRI Technologist salary in South Dakota

Median $75,120 · Top 10% earn $87,940+ · Roughly 140 workers in South Dakota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

South Dakota median
$75,120
$36.12/hr
Top 10%
$87,940
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$51,770
Entry-level range
Real pay
$83,933
CoL-adjusted (RPP 89.5)

South Dakota pays modestly below the U.S. median for mri technologists — $75,120 versus the national median of $84,400. 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 140 mri technologists.

What drives mri technologist pay in South Dakota

South Dakota pays close to the U.S. median for mri technologists. 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 mri technologist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. South Dakota
#43 Tennessee $76,800 +$1,680
#42 Idaho $76,800 +$1,680
#41 Missouri $76,800 +$1,680
#44 South Dakota (this page) $75,120 —
#47 Louisiana $74,270 −$850
#48 Alabama $72,580 −$2,540
#49 West Virginia $72,580 −$2,540
See all 50 states →

Find MRI Technologist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for South Dakota

The typical path is a associate degree + arrt(r) + arrt(mr) post-primary certification, taking about 24 months. Tuition ranges from $6,000 (community college) to $42,000 (private accelerated). On the South Dakota median of $75,120, payback periods are typically 1 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

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

MRI Technologist salary in South Dakota — FAQ

What is the average mri technologist salary in South Dakota?
The median mri technologist salary in South Dakota is $75,120 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $51,770; the top 10% earn $87,940 or more. About 140 people work in this role across the state.
How does South Dakota mri technologist pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota's median of $75,120 is $9,280 below the U.S. national median of $84,400. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 89.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $83,933.
Is mri technologist a good career in South Dakota?
On the data: South Dakota employs roughly 140 mri technologists, with a median wage of $75,120 and the top decile clearing $87,940. The role is projected to grow +6% 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 mri technologists in South Dakota?
At the South Dakota median of $75,120 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $36.12/hr. The top 10% earn around $42.28/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $24.89/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

South Dakota-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-2035: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists), 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.