Dental Assistant salary in Rapid City, SD
Dental Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $47,850 a year ($23.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,030 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $48,070. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $47,900. There are 4.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| 25th percentile | $46,270 | $22.24 |
| Median | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| 75th percentile | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Average (mean) | $49,070 | $23.59 |
Half of dental 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 | $3,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,993.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,840.38 |
| Weekly | $920.19 |
| Hourly | $23.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $48,890 | 450 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $48,590 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $53,840 | $25.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $50,010 | $24.04 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. 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 dental assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $47,850 a year, or $23.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $59,030 a year. The top 25% earn $56,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,970 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $46,270 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Rapid City, SD?
About 320 dental assistants are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.