Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $23.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Rapid City, SD runs $23.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,352 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,605 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Rapid City, SD, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $23.72, slightly below the national median of $23.84. This hourly compensation provides a solid income for those working part-time, such as three-day-a-week schedules, which yield roughly $1,135 weekly for 24 hours of work. This rate is also appealing for per-diem dental assistants, who may find opportunities in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, orthodontic practices, and specialized clinics. The hourly pay range spans from $18.82 for entry-level positions to approximately $29.27 for the top earners in the profession, reflecting the demand for skilled dental assistants in the area and the diverse responsibilities that come with the role, including patient care and administrative tasks.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.82 | $150.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.94 | $183.51 |
| Median (P50) | $23.72 | $189.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.03 | $224.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.27 | $234.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $23.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.72/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $49,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,467. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $948.89 | $4,112 | $49,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.33 | $2,467 | $29,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.56 | $1,645 | $19,737 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Rapid City) | $23.72 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $49,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.46% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 7.30% above the South Dakota state average of $45,995.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.72/hr = $29,605/year (purchasing power: $33,205).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,342/year (purchasing power: $55,341).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Rapid City grew 35.8% from $16.94/hr (2019) to $23.00/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.47/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
In examining the potential earnings for part-time dental assistants working 24 hours a week, they could take home around $59,040 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem dental assistants in Rapid City often charge between $22 to $35 per hour, with specialists in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially earning $28 to $45 per hour. The rate of pay can vary significantly depending on the type of employer, with general dental practices typically offering different hourly rates than pediatric offices or oral surgery suites. Some dental assistants may choose positions with slightly lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance benefits, while others may pursue higher hourly wages without such perks. When negotiating wages, it is beneficial to consider the growing influence of DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, which may implement standardized pay scales, and to highlight any credentials such as DANB certification or expanded function training that can set candidates apart in the job market.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rapid City. 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