General dentist salary in South Dakota
The median general dentist in South Dakota earns $158,140 a year (about $76.03 an hour); the mean is $164,030. That is $12,810 (7%) below the US median of $170,950, and ranks 40 of 47 among states with published figures. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
| South Dakota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $158,140 | $170,950 |
| Mean annual wage | $164,030 | $191,350 |
| Median hourly equivalent | $76.03 | $82.19 |
| Employed | 390 | 124,390 |
General dentists diagnose and treat problems with teeth and gums. BLS counts wage-and-salary employees: owner dentists who draw profit from their own practice are mostly not in this number, so these figures describe employed (associate-style) dentists, not practice-owner income.
How South Dakota compares with nearby ranks
States closest to South Dakota in the general dentist median ranking:
| State | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $161,560 | $162,440 |
| Connecticut | $160,440 | $183,990 |
| South Carolina | $158,640 | $181,570 |
| Illinois | $156,110 | $193,050 |
| New Mexico | $155,260 | $185,010 |
| Mississippi | $143,660 | $149,300 |
See the full state ranking for general dentists.
Other dental roles in South Dakota
- Dental hygienist salary in South DakotaMedian $92,210
- Dental assistant salary in South DakotaMedian $47,900
More for South Dakota
Dental jobs · add your own number anonymously · dental practices for sale in South Dakota
Common questions
How much does a general dentist make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for general dentists in South Dakota is $158,140 (about $76.03 an hour) and the mean is $164,030, 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 $12,810 (7%) below the national median of $170,950. It ranks 40 of 47 states and districts with published figures for general dentists.
How many general dentists work in South Dakota?
BLS estimates 390 employed general dentists 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.