Dentists, General salary in South Dakota
Dentists, General in South Dakota earn a median of $158,140 a year ($76.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,780 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $170,950. South Dakota ranks 40th of 47 states for dentists, general pay. There are 0.84 dentists, general per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $164,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dentists, general in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,560 | $45.46 |
| 25th percentile | $104,540 | $50.26 |
| Median | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| 75th percentile | $191,280 | $91.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,780 | $120.57 |
| Average (mean) | $164,030 | $78.86 |
Half of dentists, general 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 | $13,178.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,589.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,082.31 |
| Weekly | $3,041.15 |
| Hourly | $76.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dentists, General salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $191,280 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $181,140 | 130 |
| Rapid City, SD | $158,140 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for dentists, general
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $230,990 |
| North Dakota | $220,660 |
| Minnesota | $219,200 |
| Tennessee | $215,290 |
| Oregon | $211,690 |
| Maine | $209,200 |
| North Carolina | $207,000 |
| Georgia | $206,760 |
| Missouri | $204,960 |
| Vermont | $204,960 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
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 29-1021. 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 dentists, general make in South Dakota?
The median salary for dentists, general in South Dakota is $158,140 a year, or $76.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $250,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dentists, general make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of dentists, general in South Dakota earn at least $250,780 a year. The top 25% earn $191,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for dentists, general in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,560 a year, and a quarter of dentists, general earn $104,540 or less.
How many dentists, general work in South Dakota?
About 390 dentists, general are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.