Dental Hygienist Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Dental Hygienists in South Dakota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$92,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $98,100
State Rank
#33 of 50
630 employed here

How much does a Dental Hygienist make in South Dakota?

Dental Hygienists in South Dakota take home a median of $92,210 annually — roughly $44.33 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $98,100.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $73,480 while the top 10% make $98,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,230 and $96,230 a year.

Dental Hygienist salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$73,480$35.33
25th percentile (early career)$83,230$40.01
50th percentile (median)$92,210$44.33
75th percentile (experienced)$96,230$46.26
90th percentile (top earners)$98,290$47.25

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 50 states and territories for Dental Hygienist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$137,220
2Alaska$132,690
3Washington$131,160
4California$124,930
5Oregon$122,080

Working as a Dental Hygienist in South Dakota

Nationally, about 223,000 people work as Dental Hygienists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($92,210) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dental Hygienist make in South Dakota?
The median Dental Hygienist salary in South Dakota is $92,210 per year, or about $44.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $73,480 at the entry level to $98,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Dental Hygienists about 6% less than the national median of $98,100. South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $92,210 a year. About 630 Dental Hygienists are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Dental Hygienist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.