Surgical Technologist salary in South Dakota
Surgical Technologists in South Dakota earn a median of $59,870 a year ($28.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,470 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $64,650. South Dakota ranks 44th of 51 states for surgical technologists pay. There are 1.3 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,390, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical technologists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| 25th percentile | $51,720 | $24.87 |
| Median | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| 75th percentile | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Average (mean) | $58,390 | $28.07 |
Half of surgical technologists 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 | $4,989.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,494.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,302.69 |
| Weekly | $1,151.35 |
| Hourly | $28.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $61,960 | 110 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,670 | 90 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,850 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,820 | $38.85 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Paramedic | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $67,290 | $32.35 |
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 29-2055. 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 surgical technologist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for surgical technologists in South Dakota is $59,870 a year, or $28.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in South Dakota earn at least $75,470 a year. The top 25% earn $63,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,450 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $51,720 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in South Dakota?
About 600 surgical technologists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.