Medical Assistant Salary in South Dakota: $44,885 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $44,885/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,367 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($43,760), Watertown ($40,769), Yankton ($40,757).
In South Dakota, the projected average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is $44,885, which is 6.4% below the national median of $47,961. This discrepancy reflects various factors, including regional economic conditions and the demand for healthcare services. Among South Dakota’s metro areas, Sioux Falls stands out as the highest-paying city for medical assistants at $45,935, while Huron offers the lowest salary at $41,045. The salary gap of $4,890 can be attributed to differences in cost of living, healthcare facility availability, and local demand for medical assistance services. State licensing requirements for medical assistants in South Dakota are relatively flexible, but aspiring professionals must adhere to certain training and certification standards. The annual growth rate for medical assistant positions is projected at 4.97%, indicating a steady demand for healthcare support roles. Major cities like Watertown ($42,795), Yankton ($42,783), Rapid City ($42,712), and Spearfish ($42,676) reflect the variation in compensation based on local economic factors and population needs. The outlook for medical assistants in South Dakota appears stable, driven by an ongoing need for healthcare services across various settings and the state’s commitment to expanding healthcare access.
South Dakota Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $33,444 (lowest entry-level) to $52,585 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota medical assistants earn 6.41% less than the national median ($-3,076/year difference).
South Dakota Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in South Dakota range from $38,207 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $51,506 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,885. The South Dakota median is $3,076 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $21.58/hr. Approximately 905 medical assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,289
2025 BLS Actual
$42,760
2026 Current Est.
$44,885
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,432 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,885 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 41.2% from $30,289 (2019) to $42,760 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,827 (55.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $41,045 |
| Vermillion | $41,109 |
| Brookings | $41,119 |
| Pierre | $41,815 |
| Aberdeen | $42,297 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $45,935 | 90.631 | $50,684 |
| Rapid City | $42,712 | 89.16 | $47,905 |
| Watertown | $42,795 | 92.8 | $46,115 |
| Yankton | $42,783 | 92.8 | $46,102 |
| Spearfish | $42,676 | 92.8 | $45,987 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,207 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,885 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $51,506 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $45,935 |
| 2 | Watertown | $42,795 |
| 3 | Yankton | $42,783 |
| 4 | Rapid City | $42,712 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $42,676 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $42,367 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $42,297 |
| 8 | Pierre | $41,815 |
| 9 | Brookings | $41,119 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $41,109 |
| 11 | Huron | $41,045 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in South Dakota?
How many medical assistants are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov