Medical Assistant salary in Rapid City, SD
Medical Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $40,690 a year ($19.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,920 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $41,870. There are 3.3 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $41,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| 25th percentile | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Median | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| 75th percentile | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Average (mean) | $41,390 | $19.90 |
Half of medical 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 | $3,390.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,695.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,565 |
| Weekly | $782.50 |
| Hourly | $19.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,650 | 280 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $43,760 | 620 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| 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 31-9092. 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 medical assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $40,690 a year, or $19.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $47,920 a year. The top 25% earn $45,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,190 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $36,190 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Rapid City, SD?
About 240 medical assistants are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.