Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in South Dakota
The median dental assistant earns $47,900 a year in South Dakota ($23.03 an hour), with the middle half earning between $47,060 and $57,890.[1]
25th percentile
$47,060
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,900
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$57,890
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $47,900 per year or $23.03/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in South Dakota
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental assistants in South Dakota earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | South Dakota hourly | South Dakota annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.36 | $38,190 | $17.85 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $22.62 | $47,060 | $21.32 | $44,340 |
| Median | $23.03 | $47,900 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $27.83 | $57,890 | $27.93 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $28.99 | $60,310 | $29.93 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $24.12 | $50,170 | $24.13 | $50,200 |
How many dental assistants work in South Dakota
1,290
2.83
1.13
How South Dakota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $47,900 in South Dakota vs. $48,070 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $38,190 vs. $37,130, 3% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $60,310 vs. $62,250, 3% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 14.3% in South Dakota vs. 6.4% nationally.
Dental Assistant pay by metro area in South Dakota
All 3 South Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $48,890 | $48,220–$59,560 | 450 |
| Sioux City | $48,590 | $46,940–$58,140 | 190 |
| Rapid City | $47,850 | $46,270–$56,530 | 320 |
Job outlook for dental assistants in South Dakota
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 14.3% over 2024–2034, from 1,240 to 1,410 jobs, with about 190 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental assistant employment to grow 7% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental assistant pay in South Dakota
Pay for a dental assistant depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
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Dental Assistant salary in South Dakota: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Dakota was $47,900 ($23.03 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $47,060 and $57,890. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $38,190 and the top 10% earned over $60,310.
Do dental assistants in South Dakota earn more than the national median?
About the same. The South Dakota median of $47,900 is about the same as the U.S. median of $48,070. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which South Dakota metro area pays dental assistants the most?
Among the 3 South Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, Sioux Falls has the highest median at $48,890 a year. Rapid City has the lowest, at $47,850.
How many dental assistants work in South Dakota?
BLS estimates 1,290 dental assistants were employed in South Dakota in May 2025. That is 2.83 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.13, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental assistants growing in South Dakota?
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental assistants to grow 14.3% over 2024–2034, from 1,240 to 1,410 jobs. That works out to about 190 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 6.4%.
Hiring in South Dakota?
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Other roles in South Dakota
Dental Assistant salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Assistants (31-9091), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, South Dakota long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Assistants
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants