South Dakota · SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistants in South Dakota

State salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025)

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Geography used: wage and employment figures are BLS state estimates for South Dakota; the comparison figure is the United States national estimate.

Median Salary

$41,870

per year in this state

8% below

National Median

$45,690

per year nationally

Hourly Rate

$20.13/hr

median hourly

Employment

1,340

jobs in SD

Salary Range in South Dakota

Annual Salary Distribution

10th$35,980
25th$37,730
Median$41,870
75th$45,870
90th$48,960

What This Means for Medical Assistants in South Dakota

According to BLS OEWS state estimates, South Dakota ranks #36 of 54 states and territories for Medical Assistants pay, the middle tier (67th percentile) nationally. Medical Assistants working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $41,870, which is 8% below the national median of $45,690. OEWS reports the difference but does not identify its cause. The reported wage distribution runs from $35,980 at the 10th percentile to $48,960 at the 90th. OEWS does not separate how much of that spread comes from experience, specialization, employer, industry, schedule, or local market differences.

This page captures the Medical Assistants labor market inside South Dakota using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics state estimates from the May 2025 release. Median annual pay lands at $41,870 ($20.13/hr per hour), while the state employs roughly 1,340 workers in this SOC code (31-9092). Relative to the national median of $45,690, the state estimate is 8% below. Explaining that difference would require separate evidence on industry, employer, prices, and worker mix.

Within South Dakota, the full pay distribution is wider than the median alone suggests. Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,980, the 25th earns $37,730, the 75th reaches $45,870, and the 90th hits $48,960. The upper boundary is roughly 1.4× the lower boundary. These bands combine workers across experience levels, credentials, employers, industries, schedules, and specialties; the percentile table does not isolate any one factor's effect.

Use this state-level view as one layer in your research stack, not the full picture. Drill into the specific BLS local wage area within South Dakota where the job is located. A state estimate can differ substantially from a local-area estimate; this table does not establish why. Pair the wage here with state-specific cost of living (rent, taxes, energy, groceries) to see how far the paycheck actually goes. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses. It excludes employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, and nonproduction bonuses, so compare those items separately when reviewing an offer.

Top Paying Jobs in South Dakota

Similar Occupations in South Dakota

Other roles in the same SOC major group, priced for this state's labor market.

Related federal data for South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Medical Assistants make in South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Medical Assistants in South Dakota is $41,870 (8% below national avg). Pay ranges from $35,980 (10th percentile) to $48,960 (90th percentile).
How many Medical Assistants work in South Dakota?
There are approximately 1,340 Medical Assistants employed in South Dakota, according to BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
What is the hourly rate for Medical Assistants in South Dakota?
The median hourly wage for Medical Assistants in South Dakota is $20.13/hr.
Where does WageDex get its salary data?
All salary and employment data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release.

Data Sources

Last updated: May 2025 (BLS OEWS annual release).

Salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release.

Wage estimates include straight-time pay plus items such as tips, commissions, and production bonuses. They exclude employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, and nonproduction bonuses. Employment figures represent the estimated number of workers in the occupation across all industries in South Dakota.

Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. This occupation's South Dakota figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS state-level data. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.