General Dentist salary in South Dakota
The verified BLS median general dentist in South Dakota earns $158,140 ($76.03/hr). South Dakota pays roughly 7% below the national median of $170,950.
General Dentist pay in South Dakota: the analysis
At a verified median of $158,140, general dentists in South Dakota earn modestly below the U.S. median of $170,950 — a gap of about 7%. Among the 51 states where the BLS reports general dentist pay, South Dakota ranks 42nd.
The pay range is wide: the lowest-paid tenth of general dentists in this state earn around $94,560, while the top tenth earn $250,780 or more — a spread of about $156,220. That gap reflects experience, practice setting, and demand more than any single factor, so an individual offer can sit well above or below the midpoint.
The BLS counts roughly 390 general dentists employed in South Dakota — a measure of how deep the local job market is for the role.
Within South Dakota, a general dentist earns about 1.7× what a dental hygienist earns and about 3.3× what a dental assistant earns ($92,210, $47,900 respectively) — a quick way to see where the role sits in the local dental pay ladder.
Within the state, general dentist pay is highest in Sioux Falls at about $181,140 and lowest in Rapid City at about $158,140. Metro-level demand and cost of living explain most of the in-state variation — see the metro breakdown below.
General Dentist pay distribution — South Dakota (verified)
Inner percentiles marked “est.” are interpolated between published anchors.
| Percentile | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| 10th percentilei | $94,560 |
| 25th percentilei | $104,540 |
| Median (50th)i | $158,140 |
| 75th percentilei | $191,280 |
| 90th percentilei | $250,780 |
| Mean (average)i | $164,030 |
General Dentist pay by metro in South Dakota
All 2 South Dakota metros where BLS publishes a general dentist wage — highest first. State median: $158,140.
Verified BLS OEWS metropolitan wage estimates (May 2025). Percentages compare each metro median with the South Dakota median. Metros where BLS does not publish a general dentist wage are not listed.
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How much does a general dentist make in South Dakota?
The verified BLS OEWS median general dentist in South Dakota earns about $158,140 ($76.03/hr), from the official May 2025 state wage survey.
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