Dental Hygienist salary in South Dakota
Dental Hygienists in South Dakota earn a median of $92,210 a year ($44.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $98,100. South Dakota ranks 33rd of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,180, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,480 | $35.33 |
| 25th percentile | $83,230 | $40.02 |
| Median | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| 75th percentile | $96,230 | $46.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,290 | $47.25 |
| Average (mean) | $89,180 | $42.88 |
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 | $7,684.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,842.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,546.54 |
| Weekly | $1,773.27 |
| Hourly | $44.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,210 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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $92,350 | 250 |
| Rapid City, SD | $91,890 | 120 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for dental hygienists in South Dakota is $92,210 a year, or $44.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in South Dakota earn at least $98,290 a year. The top 25% earn $96,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,480 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $83,230 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in South Dakota?
About 630 dental hygienists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.