Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $21.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Spearfish, SD runs $21.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,116 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,465 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Spearfish, South Dakota, the projected dental assistant hourly pay for 2026 is $21.21, which falls below the national median of $23.84. This rate reflects the competitive landscape of dental assisting, particularly for part-time and per-diem workers operating in a variety of dental environments such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, and specialty surgical suites. Entry-level dental assistants typically earn around $16.68 per hour, while the top earners can make up to $25.16. These hourly rates, estimated from annual salary projections, account for the local market conditions and cost of living in Spearfish, which is slightly below the national average.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.68 | $133.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.78 | $166.26 |
| Median (P50) | $21.21 | $169.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.53 | $196.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.16 | $201.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $21.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.21/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $44,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,447. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $848.22 | $3,676 | $44,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.93 | $2,205 | $26,465 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.29 | $1,470 | $17,643 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Spearfish) | $21.21 |
| 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 Spearfish, SD earn a median of $44,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $46,002.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.21/hr = $26,465/year (purchasing power: $28,518).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,108/year (purchasing power: $47,530).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Spearfish grew 19.9% from $17.14/hr (2019) to $20.56/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.87/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
For those considering part-time opportunities, working three days a week as a dental assistant could yield approximately $26,584 annually, quite a contrast to full-time earnings. Many per-diem dental assistants in Spearfish report hourly rates ranging from $22 to $35, with specialists in orthodontic and oral surgery settings commanding even higher wages between $28 and $45. This variation is influenced largely by the type of practice, with general dental offices often paying less than specialized clinics. Additionally, the growth of dental support organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen may standardize pay but could also mean less negotiation flexibility for employees. Dental assistants should weigh the benefits offered, such as health insurance versus higher hourly wages without benefits, and consider using local salary data during negotiations to ensure fair compensation for their skills and experience in this evolving field.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 Spearfish. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Spearfish is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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