South Dakota Median
$34,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $38,150
State Rank
#46 of 51
250 employed here
How much do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in South Dakota?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in South Dakota take home a median of $34,700 annually — roughly $16.68 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $38,150.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $28,390 while the top 10% make $36,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,320 and $36,100 a year.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,320 | $14.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,700 | $16.68 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,100 | $17.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,700 | $17.64 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in other states
Rhode Island $49,770District of Columbia $49,080Massachusetts $46,670California $46,260New Jersey $46,160Maine $45,510Minnesota $45,280Maryland $44,770New York $44,750Oregon $44,370Connecticut $44,250Washington $44,150Hawaii $44,070Colorado $38,900Delaware $38,610Montana $38,340Arizona $38,250Michigan $37,960Wyoming $37,880Florida $37,830Utah $37,560Idaho $37,530New Mexico $37,500Illinois $37,480Virginia $37,450Vermont $37,290North Dakota $37,160Pennsylvania $37,140North Carolina $37,070South Carolina $36,980Nevada $36,920New Hampshire $36,910Wisconsin $36,850Missouri $36,660Alaska $36,490Indiana $36,420Ohio $36,340Tennessee $36,320Nebraska $36,100Georgia $35,850Alabama $35,800Iowa $35,720Kansas $35,680Oklahoma $34,850Texas $34,850Arkansas $34,570Kentucky $34,140West Virginia $32,350Louisiana $30,480Mississippi $30,360
Working as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 127,000 people work as Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($34,700) 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 do Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers make in South Dakota?
The median Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers salary in South Dakota is $34,700 per year, or about $16.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,390 at the entry level to $36,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers about 9% less than the national median of $38,150. South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,700 a year. About 250 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers 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 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers 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.