Dental assistant salary in South Dakota

Dental assistants in South Dakota earn a median $47,900 a year. That's 0% above the national median, ranking South Dakota #25 of 49 states.

Median pay
$47,900
Median hourly
$23.03
Typical range
$38,190–$60,310
Jobs
1,290

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for dental assistants in South Dakota
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$38,190$37,130
25th$47,060$44,340
Median$47,900$48,070
75th$57,890$58,090
90th (top earners)$60,310$62,250

Compare other states

  1. 1Minnesota$65,270
  2. –District of Columbia$60,580
  3. 2Maine$60,070
  4. 3New Hampshire$59,530
  5. 4Oregon$59,490
  6. 5Washington$58,090
  7. 6Massachusetts$57,980
  8. 7North Dakota$57,770
  9. 8Alaska$57,710
  10. 9Connecticut$56,850
  11. 10Vermont$52,760
  12. 11North Carolina$50,380
  13. 12Rhode Island$50,150
  14. 13California$50,110
  15. 14New Jersey$49,390
  16. 15Arizona$49,000
  17. 16Michigan$48,820
  18. 17Indiana$48,670
  19. 18Maryland$48,620
  20. 19Illinois$48,610
  21. 20Iowa$48,430
  22. 21Colorado$48,340
  23. 22New York$48,110
  24. 23Ohio$47,970
  25. 24Pennsylvania$47,930
  26. 25South Dakota$47,900
  27. 26Kentucky$47,730
  28. 27Florida$47,620
  29. 28Delaware$47,600
  30. 29Wisconsin$47,520
  31. 30South Carolina$47,320
  32. 31Nevada$47,110
  33. 32Georgia$46,840
  34. 33Tennessee$46,720
  35. 34Montana$46,680
  36. 35Virginia$46,670
  37. 36Nebraska$46,660
  38. 37Missouri$45,970
  39. 38Idaho$45,880
  40. 39Oklahoma$45,740
  41. 40Texas$45,430
  42. 41Wyoming$44,990
  43. 42Hawaii$44,720
  44. 43New Mexico$44,400
  45. 44Louisiana$44,090
  46. 45Arkansas$42,830
  47. 46Mississippi$39,160
  48. 47Alabama$39,080
  49. 48West Virginia$37,960
  50. 49Utah$37,760
  51. –Puerto Rico$35,910

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in South Dakota.

Dental assistant schools in South DakotaHow to become a dental assistant

Frequently asked questions

How much do dental assistants make in South Dakota?

The median pay for dental assistants in South Dakota is $47,900 a year ($23.03 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,190, and the top 10% earn over $60,310.

Is South Dakota a good state for dental assistants?

South Dakota ranks #25 of 49 states for median dental assistant pay, 0% above the national median of $48,070. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a dental assistant earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a dental assistant covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Dental Assistants, SOC 31-9091). Figures exclude self-employed workers.