Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in South Dakota
The median dentist earns $158,140 a year in South Dakota ($76.03 an hour), with the middle half earning between $104,540 and $191,280.[1]
25th percentile
$104,540
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$158,140
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$191,280
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $158,140 per year or $76.03/hr at the median. South Dakota runs about 7% 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 dentists 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 | $45.46 | $94,560 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $50.26 | $104,540 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $76.03 | $158,140 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $91.96 | $191,280 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $120.57 | $250,780 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $78.86 | $164,030 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in South Dakota
390
0.84
1.05
How South Dakota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $158,140 in South Dakota vs. $170,950 nationally, $12,810 (7%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $94,560 vs. $86,250, 10% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $250,780 vs. $319,630, 22% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 13.8% in South Dakota vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist 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 City | $191,280 | $134,160–$229,870 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls | $181,140 | $124,470–$220,040 | 130 |
| Rapid City | $158,140 | $103,210–$195,310 | 90 |
Job outlook for dentists in South Dakota
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 13.8% over 2024–2034, from 310 to 360 jobs, with about 10 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 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 dentist pay in South Dakota
Pay for a dentist 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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Dentist salary in South Dakota: FAQ
How much do dentists make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for dentists in South Dakota was $158,140 ($76.03 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $104,540 and $191,280. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $94,560 and the top 10% earned over $250,780. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in South Dakota earn more than the national median?
No. The South Dakota median of $158,140 is lower than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $12,810 (7%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which South Dakota metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 3 South Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, Sioux City has the highest median at $191,280 a year. Rapid City has the lowest, at $158,140.
How many dentists work in South Dakota?
BLS estimates 390 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in South Dakota in May 2025. That is 0.84 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.05, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in South Dakota?
South Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 13.8% over 2024–2034, from 310 to 360 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 4.2%.
Hiring in South Dakota?
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Other roles in South Dakota
- Dental Hygienist salary in South Dakota
- Dental Assistant salary in South Dakota
- Dental Specialist salary in South Dakota
- Dental Front Office salary in South Dakota
- Dental Office Manager salary in South Dakota
- Dental Practice Administrator salary in South Dakota
- Dental Lab Technician salary in South Dakota
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), 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: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)