Medical Assistant salary in South Dakota
Medical Assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $41,870 a year ($20.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,960 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $45,690. South Dakota ranks 35th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 2.9 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $42,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Median | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| 75th percentile | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Average (mean) | $42,170 | $20.28 |
Half of medical assistants 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 | $3,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,744.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,610.38 |
| Weekly | $805.19 |
| Hourly | $20.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,870 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.
Medical Assistant salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,650 | 280 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $43,760 | 620 |
| Rapid City, SD | $40,690 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,330 | $15.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. 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 medical assistant make in South Dakota?
The median salary for medical assistants in South Dakota is $41,870 a year, or $20.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of medical assistants in South Dakota earn at least $48,960 a year. The top 25% earn $45,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,980 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $37,730 or less.
How many medical assistants work in South Dakota?
About 1,340 medical assistants are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.