South Dakota Median
$45,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $47,380
State Rank
#33 of 51
300 employed here
How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make in South Dakota?
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Dakota take home a median of $45,300 annually — roughly $21.78 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $47,380.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $35,780 while the top 10% make $50,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,430 and $47,040 a year.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,780 | $17.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,430 | $18.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,300 | $21.78 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,040 | $22.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,440 | $24.25 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in other states
District of Columbia $61,270California $60,630Washington $59,740New York $59,010Minnesota $57,270Oregon $55,810Virginia $52,090Connecticut $50,950Maine $50,810Nevada $50,250Michigan $49,710Colorado $49,650Massachusetts $49,540Vermont $49,490New Jersey $49,050North Dakota $48,790New Hampshire $48,780Indiana $48,720Hawaii $48,550Delaware $48,370Ohio $47,990North Carolina $47,620Maryland $47,350Wisconsin $47,020Alaska $46,480Illinois $46,440Pennsylvania $46,430Florida $46,380Arizona $46,300Kansas $45,810Iowa $45,560Rhode Island $45,310New Mexico $44,790Nebraska $43,680Missouri $43,520Georgia $43,060Tennessee $42,810Idaho $42,120Montana $41,170Utah $40,560Kentucky $39,590Texas $39,410Oklahoma $39,100South Carolina $39,020Wyoming $38,650Arkansas $38,360West Virginia $37,700Alabama $36,590Mississippi $36,380Louisiana $35,530
Working as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Dakota
Nationally, about 129,000 people work as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 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 ($45,300) 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 Technologists and Technicians make in South Dakota?
The median Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in South Dakota is $45,300 per year, or about $21.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,780 at the entry level to $50,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Veterinary Technologists and Technicians about 4% less than the national median of $47,380. South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,300 a year. About 300 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 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 Technologists and Technicians 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.