South Dakota Median
$51,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $51,140
State Rank
#27 of 51
900 employed here
How much does a Medical Records Specialist make in South Dakota?
A Medical Records Specialist working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $51,610 per year, or about $24.81 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $51,140 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $36,920 while the top 10% make $76,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,860 and $63,130 a year.
Medical Records Specialist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,860 | $21.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,610 | $24.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,130 | $30.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,950 | $37.00 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories for Medical Records Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Records Specialist salary in other states
District of Columbia $72,040Rhode Island $63,960Hawaii $63,180Washington $62,270California $61,810New York $61,720Minnesota $61,530Alaska $61,090Connecticut $60,940Massachusetts $60,350Wisconsin $60,280Colorado $59,020Oregon $59,000Vermont $57,560New Mexico $57,470Illinois $56,440Delaware $56,060South Carolina $54,280Maryland $54,220Wyoming $54,210Idaho $53,460Oklahoma $53,460Virginia $53,290Utah $52,870Maine $52,090Nebraska $51,670Georgia $51,550Ohio $50,990Missouri $50,750Iowa $50,640Nevada $50,300New Jersey $50,240Montana $50,190North Carolina $49,620New Hampshire $49,210Texas $48,860Tennessee $48,780Kentucky $48,410Kansas $48,160Michigan $48,120Indiana $47,670Arizona $47,630West Virginia $47,360Pennsylvania $46,840North Dakota $46,280Florida $45,760Louisiana $44,610Alabama $43,810Arkansas $41,740Mississippi $41,500
Working as a Medical Records Specialist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 195,000 people work as Medical Records Specialists 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 ($51,610) 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 Medical Records Specialist make in South Dakota?
The median Medical Records Specialist salary in South Dakota is $51,610 per year, or about $24.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,920 at the entry level to $76,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Medical Records Specialists about 1% more than the national median of $51,140. South Dakota ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Medical Records Specialists?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $51,610 a year. About 900 Medical Records Specialists are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Medical Records Specialist 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.