Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Assistant Salary in Rapid City
The median dental assistant earns $47,850 a year in the Rapid City metro, with the middle half between $46,270 and $56,530.[1]
25th percentile
$46,270
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$47,850
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$56,530
Upper end of the middle half
Rapid City runs about the same as the South Dakota median and ranks 3rd of 3 South Dakota metros. It is about the same as the national median.
Rapid City pay range vs. South Dakota and the U.S.
| Percentile | Metro annual | South Dakota annual | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,970 | $38,190 | $37,130 |
| 25th percentile | $46,270 | $47,060 | $44,340 |
| Median | $47,850 | $47,900 | $48,070 |
| 75th percentile | $56,530 | $57,890 | $58,090 |
| 90th percentile | $59,030 | $60,310 | $62,250 |
| Mean (average) | $49,070 | $50,170 | $50,200 |
320
4.28
1.72
For dental pros in Rapid City
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Dental Assistant salary in Rapid City: FAQ
How much do dental assistants make in Rapid City?
The median dental assistant salary in the Rapid City metro area is $47,850, with the middle half earning between $46,270 and $56,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The full range runs from $37,970 at the 10th percentile to $59,030 at the 90th.
Is Rapid City higher or lower than the rest of South Dakota?
Rapid City runs about the same as the South Dakota state median for dental assistants. It ranks 3rd of 3 South Dakota metro areas by median pay. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures.)
How does Rapid City compare nationally?
Dental Assistant pay in Rapid City is about the same as the U.S. median. (DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures, not adjusted for cost of living.)
How many dental assistants work in the Rapid City area?
BLS estimates 320 dental assistants were employed in the Rapid City metro area in May 2025. Its location quotient is 1.72, so the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Other South Dakota metros