Dental Hygienist salary in Rapid City, SD
Dental Hygienists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $91,890 a year ($44.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,590 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $92,210. There are 1.7 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,210, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| 25th percentile | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Median | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| 75th percentile | $93,130 | $44.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,590 | $46.92 |
| Average (mean) | $87,210 | $41.93 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,657.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,828.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,534.23 |
| Weekly | $1,767.12 |
| Hourly | $44.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $92,350 | 250 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $83,920 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $230,530 | $110.83 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $211,990 | $101.92 |
| Veterinarian | $90,410 | $43.47 |
| Chiropractor | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $91,890 a year, or $44.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $97,590 a year. The top 25% earn $93,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,420 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $78,320 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 120 dental hygienists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.