Dental assistant salary in South Dakota
The median dental assistant in South Dakota earns $47,900 a year (about $23.03 an hour); the mean is $50,170. That is $170 (0%) below the US median of $48,070, and ranks 26 of 50 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| South Dakota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $47,900 | $48,070 |
| Mean annual wage | $50,170 | $50,200 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $23.03 | $23.11 |
| Employed | 1,290 | 387,790 |
Dental assistants work alongside dentists: chairside help, instruments, patient comfort, and in many states radiographs and other expanded duties.
How South Dakota compares with nearby ranks
States closest to South Dakota in the dental assistant median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $48,110 | $49,820 |
| Ohio | $47,970 | $52,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $50,130 |
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $48,440 |
| Florida | $47,620 | $48,500 |
| Delaware | $47,600 | $47,520 |
See the full state ranking for dental assistants.
Other dental roles in South Dakota
- Dental hygienist salary in South DakotaMedian $92,210
- General dentist salary in South DakotaMedian $158,140
More for South Dakota
Dental jobs · add your own number anonymously · dental practices for sale in South Dakota
Common questions
How much does a dental assistant make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Dakota is $47,900 (about $23.03 an hour) and the mean is $50,170, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How does South Dakota compare with the national figure?
The South Dakota median is $170 (0%) below the national median of $48,070. It ranks 26 of 50 states and districts with published figures for dental assistants.
How many dental assistants work in South Dakota?
BLS estimates 1,290 employed dental assistants in South Dakota in May 2025.
Do these numbers include practice owners?
No. BLS counts people on an employer's payroll. Owners who take profit from their own practice are mostly outside the survey.