Medical Records Specialist salary in South Dakota
Medical Records Specialists in South Dakota earn a median of $51,610 a year ($24.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,950 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $51,140. South Dakota ranks 27th of 51 states for medical records specialists pay. There are 2.0 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Median | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| 75th percentile | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,950 | $36.99 |
| Average (mean) | $54,380 | $26.15 |
Half of medical records specialists 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 | $4,300.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,150.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,985 |
| Weekly | $992.50 |
| Hourly | $24.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,610 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 Records Specialist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $52,140 | 100 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $51,610 | 430 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,130 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for medical records specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| California | $61,810 |
| New York | $61,720 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 |
| Alaska | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,820 | $38.85 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Paramedic | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $67,290 | $32.35 |
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 29-2072. 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 records specialist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for medical records specialists in South Dakota is $51,610 a year, or $24.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in South Dakota earn at least $76,950 a year. The top 25% earn $63,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $44,860 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in South Dakota?
About 900 medical records specialists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.