verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dentist Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$158,140/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$76.03/hr
▼ 7% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
390
public U.S. Median
$170,950
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$178,516 #22 of 47

Dentist pay in South Dakota, explained

Dentists in South Dakota earn a median of $158,140 per year ($76.03 per hour), which is 7% below the national median of $170,950. Entry-level workers earn around $94,560, while the most experienced dentists reach about $250,780. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $158,140 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $158,140 is worth about $178,516 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #22 for real pay (vs #40 on the sticker number).

See the full Dentist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dentist pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$94,560
$45.46/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$158,140
$76.03/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$250,780
$120.57/hr

Dentist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $158,140 $178,516
North Dakota $220,660 $248,047 −$62,520
Minnesota $219,200 $222,265 −$61,060
Iowa $181,520 $206,832 −$23,380
Nebraska $179,750 $199,494 −$21,610
Montana $167,200 $176,660 −$9,060
Wyoming $123,830 $133,594 +$34,310

Dentist in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do dentists make in South Dakota?

Dentists in South Dakota earn a median of $158,140 per year ($76.03 per hour), compared with $170,950 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay dentists well?

At $158,140, South Dakota pays 7% below the national median for dentists. An estimated 390 work in the state.

Dentist salary in other states

All 47 states ranked arrow_forward

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