South Dakota's average medical assistant salary of $42,170 falls below most neighboring states, making it a relatively affordable market for employers. Minnesota leads the region at $51,660, followed by Nebraska at $48,040 and North Dakota at $46,870. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from employers in those states, expect some candidates to factor in the pay gap when making their decision.
Medical assistant salary in South Dakota (2026)
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The average medical assistant salary in South Dakota is $42,170 per year. A small pool of high earners at the top of the market pulls that average upward, so the median of $41,870 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. South Dakota employs 1,340 medical assistants, and the $300 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior medical assistants in South Dakota typically earn around $35,980, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $48,960 level. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a medical assistant hire in South Dakota, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $41,870 |
Average Annual Salary | $42,170 |
vs. National Average | 8.6% below the national mean of $46,120 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 1,340 employed medical assistants across South Dakota.
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Medical assistant salary percentiles in South Dakota
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $35,980 |
25th Percentile | $37,730 |
75th Percentile | $45,870 |
90th Percentile | $48,960 |
When setting an offer for a medical assistant in South Dakota, expect most candidates to fall between $37,730 and $45,870 depending on experience. Senior specialists in this role typically reach or exceed $48,960, so offers targeting experienced hires should be positioned toward the upper end of that range.
Medical assistant salary by city in South Dakota
City | Average Annual Salary |
Sioux Falls | $43,390 |
Rapid City | $41,390 |
Employers hiring in Sioux Falls should budget modestly more than those hiring in Rapid City, since location alone accounts for a $2,000 difference in average pay. Sioux Falls averages $43,390 compared to $41,390 in Rapid City, so your offer strategy should reflect which market you are recruiting from.
How South Dakota compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
South Dakota | $42,170 | $41,870 |
Minnesota | $51,660 | $50,480 |
Nebraska | $48,040 | $47,370 |
North Dakota | $46,870 | $45,980 |
Iowa | $44,930 | $45,480 |
Wyoming | $42,680 | $40,920 |
South Dakota is a cost-effective market for medical assistant hiring relative to most neighboring states, which gives employers here a real budget advantage. South Dakota's average of $42,170 sits below Iowa at $44,930, North Dakota at $46,870, Nebraska at $48,040, and Minnesota at $51,660. Wyoming is the only neighboring state with a comparable average at $42,680, so South Dakota employers can generally set competitive offers without matching the higher compensation levels seen across the region.
Frequently asked questions about medical assistant salary in South Dakota
How does South Dakota compare to other states for medical assistant salary?
What do the top-earning medical assistants make in South Dakota?
Medical assistants at the 90th percentile in South Dakota earn $48,960 per year. If you are recruiting experienced or highly specialized candidates, positioning your offer near or above that threshold will help you compete for senior talent. Candidates with specialized skills or significant experience will likely expect compensation at or above that level.
What is the salary range for a medical assistant in South Dakota?
The salary range for a medical assistant in South Dakota runs from $35,980 at the 10th percentile to $48,960 at the 90th percentile. Most candidates you will encounter fall between the 25th percentile of $37,730 and the 75th percentile of $45,870. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average medical assistant salary in South Dakota?
The average medical assistant salary in South Dakota is $42,170 per year, with a median of $41,870. The $300 gap between those two figures is small, which means the distribution of pay across the state's 1,340 employed medical assistants is relatively tight. For most hiring decisions, the median of $41,870 is the more reliable anchor for your initial offer.
Medical Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 31-9092 (Medical Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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