Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Lab Technician Salary in South Dakota
The median dental lab technician earns $48,370 a year in South Dakota ($23.25 an hour), with the middle half earning between $44,530 and $57,020.[1]
25th percentile
$44,530
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$48,370
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$57,020
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $48,370 per year or $23.25/hr at the median. South Dakota runs about 2% lower than 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 lab technicians 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 | $18.95 | $39,420 | $17.62 | $36,660 |
| 25th percentile | $21.41 | $44,530 | $19.43 | $40,420 |
| Median | $23.25 | $48,370 | $23.85 | $49,610 |
| 75th percentile | $27.42 | $57,020 | $29.84 | $62,070 |
| 90th percentile | $31.73 | $65,990 | $36.99 | $76,940 |
| Mean (average) | $25.02 | $52,040 | $26.10 | $54,290 |
How many dental lab technicians work in South Dakota
120
0.26
1.16
How South Dakota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $48,370 in South Dakota vs. $49,610 nationally, $1,240 (2%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $39,420 vs. $36,660, 8% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $65,990 vs. $76,940, 14% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -2.5% in South Dakota vs. -4.5% nationally.
Dental Lab Technician pay by metro area in South Dakota
BLS publishes one South Dakota metro area for this role.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $45,800 | $43,300–$56,450 | 50 |
Job outlook for dental lab technicians in South Dakota
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 2.5% over 2024–2034, from 80 to 80 jobs, with about 10 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
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 lab technician pay in South Dakota
Pay for a dental lab technician 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.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental lab technician roles in South Dakota, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Lab Technician salary in South Dakota: FAQ
How much do dental lab technicians make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for dental lab technicians in South Dakota was $48,370 ($23.25 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $44,530 and $57,020. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $39,420 and the top 10% earned over $65,990.
Do dental lab technicians in South Dakota earn more than the national median?
No. The South Dakota median of $48,370 is lower than the U.S. median of $49,610. That is $1,240 (2%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
How many dental lab technicians work in South Dakota?
BLS estimates 120 dental lab technicians were employed in South Dakota in May 2025. That is 0.26 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.16, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental lab technicians growing in South Dakota?
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental lab technicians to change 2.5% over 2024–2034, from 80 to 80 jobs. That works out to about 10 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is -4.5%.
Hiring in South Dakota?
Fill dental lab technician roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in South Dakota
Dental Lab Technician salary by state
- Dental Lab Technician salary in California
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Texas
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Florida
- Dental Lab Technician salary in New York
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Illinois
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Pennsylvania
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Ohio
- Dental Lab Technician salary in Georgia
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Laboratory Technicians (51-9081), 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 Laboratory Technicians