Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $24.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $24.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,425 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,249 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dental assistants are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $24.24 in 2026, which exceeds the national average of $23.84. This hourly pay creates favorable conditions for both part-time workers and those seeking per-diem opportunities, especially within clinical environments like pediatric and orthodontic practices. The hourly compensation for dental assistants in the city ranges from $19.08 at the entry-level to $30.14 for the highest earners. Such competitive pay indicates a robust demand for dental assistance services in the area, influenced by the presence of various practice types, including general dentistry and oral surgery clinics. These figures are derived from official BLS data, highlighting the role earnings play in attracting talent to the profession in Sioux Falls.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.08 | $152.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.91 | $191.26 |
| Median (P50) | $24.24 | $193.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.54 | $236.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.14 | $241.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $24.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.24/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $50,415 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,085. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $969.52 | $4,201 | $50,415 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $581.71 | $2,521 | $30,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $387.81 | $1,680 | $20,166 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Sioux Falls) | $24.24 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $50,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 9.60% above the South Dakota state average of $46,008.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.24/hr = $30,249/year (purchasing power: $33,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,415/year (purchasing power: $55,626).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Sioux Falls grew 3.5% from $22.71/hr (2019) to $23.50/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.00/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Sioux Falls
When considering the financial implications of being a dental assistant, part-time employees working three days a week can expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts while still enjoying flexibility in their schedules. Per diem dental assistants typically bill between $22 to $35 per hour, varying widely from general practices to specialized offices, with oral surgery and orthodontic roles often commanding higher rates of $28 to $45. The types of employers and their pay structures significantly impact earning potential; for instance, working in a dental service organization (DSO) versus a smaller solo practice could result in disparate hourly compensation. While some dental assistants opt for positions that provide lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without benefits. For those navigating these waters in Sioux Falls, negotiating for a higher rate is essential, particularly given the competitive nature of the market fueled by DSO consolidation.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Sioux Falls in 2026?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Sioux Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov