South Dakota Median
$158,140
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $170,950
State Rank
#40 of 47
390 employed here
How much does a Dentist, General make in South Dakota?
Dentists, General in South Dakota take home a median of $158,140 annually — roughly $76.03 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $170,950.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $94,560 while the top 10% make $250,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,540 and $191,280 a year.
Dentist, General salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,560 | $45.46 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,540 | $50.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $158,140 | $76.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $191,280 | $91.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $250,780 | $120.57 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories for Dentist, General pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dentist, General salary in other states
Alaska $230,990North Dakota $220,660Minnesota $219,200Tennessee $215,290Oregon $211,690Maine $209,200North Carolina $207,000Georgia $206,760Missouri $204,960Vermont $204,960Virginia $197,110Arizona $194,180Wisconsin $193,690New York $183,060Massachusetts $181,600Iowa $181,520Nebraska $179,750Arkansas $178,930New Hampshire $177,480Florida $174,900New Jersey $171,330Louisiana $170,750West Virginia $170,370Michigan $169,930Washington $169,730Maryland $168,500Hawaii $167,820Ohio $167,410Montana $167,200Indiana $166,650Colorado $166,240Oklahoma $166,170California $165,950Pennsylvania $163,390Texas $162,360Nevada $162,200Rhode Island $161,560Connecticut $160,440South Carolina $158,640Illinois $156,110New Mexico $155,260Mississippi $143,660Kentucky $134,160Utah $133,320Idaho $124,190Wyoming $123,830
Working as a Dentist, General in South Dakota
Nationally, about 124,000 people work as Dentists, General 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 ($158,140) 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 Dentist, General make in South Dakota?
The median Dentist, General salary in South Dakota is $158,140 per year, or about $76.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $94,560 at the entry level to $250,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Dentists, General about 7% less than the national median of $170,950. South Dakota ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Dentists, General?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $158,140 a year. About 390 Dentists, General 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 Dentist, General salary report
Related salaries
$102,760
median pay · 267,000 employed
$134,040
median pay · 8,000 employed
$135,880
median pay · 162,000 employed
$115,210
median pay · 29,000 employed
$136,570
median pay · 43,000 employed
$105,310
median pay · 17,000 employed
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.