Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025

Dentist Salary in South Dakota

The median dentist earns $158,140 a year in South Dakota, with most between $104,540 and $191,280.

25th percentile

$104,540

Entry / lower range

Median

$158,140

The typical pay

75th percentile

$191,280

Experienced / upper range

That's roughly $158,140 per year or $76.03/hr at the median. South Dakota runs about 7% below the national median.

Note: BLS figures reflect employed dentists. Many dentists own their practices, and owner earnings aren't included — which can make high-ownership areas read lower than you'd expect.

Top-paying metros in South Dakota

Metro area
Median
Typical range
Sioux City
$191,280
$134,160–$229,870
Sioux Falls
$181,140
$124,470–$220,040
Rapid City
$158,140
$103,210–$195,310

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Figures are gross wages, not adjusted for cost of living.

What drives dentist pay in South Dakota

Pay for a dentistdepends on experience, setting, and metro. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) often sit toward the upper end of the range, since they compete for talent across multiple locations and can offer benefits and advancement a single practice can't.

Across dentistry, hiring is hard and getting harder: staffing is consistently ranked among dentists' top challenges, and open roles routinely take well over two months to fill. For candidates, that means leverage; for employers, it means speed and fit matter more than ever.

For dental pros

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Dentist salary in South Dakota: FAQ

What is the average dentist salary in South Dakota?

The median dentist salary in South Dakota is about $158,140 per year ($76.03/hr), based on BLS OEWS data (May 2025). Most earn between $104,540 and $191,280.

How does South Dakota compare to the national average?

At a $158,140 median, dentist pay in South Dakota runs about 7% below the national median. Local cost of living and demand drive most of the difference.

Which South Dakota cities pay dentists the most?

Among South Dakota metros, Sioux City is at the top, with a median around $191,280.

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