South Dakota Median
$88,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-32% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#49 of 49
280 employed here
How much does a Veterinarian make in South Dakota?
A Veterinarian working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $88,650 per year, or about $42.62 per hour. That is 32% below the national median of $130,100 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $61,640 while the top 10% make $128,920 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,860 and $114,400 a year.
Veterinarian salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,640 | $29.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $74,860 | $35.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $88,650 | $42.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $114,400 | $55.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,920 | $61.98 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 49 states and territories for Veterinarian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinarian salary in other states
California $163,920Maryland $163,170Washington $160,510New Jersey $160,140Arizona $152,020Massachusetts $140,260District of Columbia $134,530Illinois $133,580Pennsylvania $133,520Minnesota $133,110New York $131,830Vermont $131,820Florida $131,660Texas $131,330Colorado $130,840Maine $130,600Hawaii $130,120New Mexico $129,390North Carolina $129,240West Virginia $128,990Oregon $128,880New Hampshire $128,190Virginia $126,730Georgia $126,590Rhode Island $126,570Connecticut $126,190Nevada $125,550Michigan $125,390Ohio $125,060Iowa $124,610Indiana $124,530Louisiana $124,370Tennessee $124,350Utah $123,990South Carolina $122,130Idaho $116,170Missouri $114,660Wisconsin $108,780Arkansas $107,710Kansas $107,080Alabama $105,630Mississippi $105,370Kentucky $104,100Nebraska $103,500North Dakota $102,180Montana $99,390Oklahoma $98,090Wyoming $97,240
Working as a Veterinarian in South Dakota
Nationally, about 84,000 people work as Veterinarians 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 ($88,650) 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 Veterinarian make in South Dakota?
The median Veterinarian salary in South Dakota is $88,650 per year, or about $42.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,640 at the entry level to $128,920 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Veterinarians about 32% less than the national median of $130,100. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Veterinarians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $88,650 a year. About 280 Veterinarians 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 Veterinarian 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.