Do dental assistants need a license in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for dental assistants, administered by the South Dakota State Board of Dentistry. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How long does dental assistant training take in South Dakota?

Most people become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota through a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires.

Q: How much do dental assistants earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), dental assistants in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,900. Employment concentration in South Dakota is about 1.13 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for dental assistants in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,290 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota employs about 1,290 dental assistants earning a median $47,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Dental Assistant here means completing a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires, then applying through South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.

Compare Dental Assistant Schools in South Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Lake Area Technical College	74.7	Contact school for pricing	$49,488	69%	Yes*	123 mi
2	North Dakota State College of Science	72.6	Contact school for pricing	$60,587	52%	Yes*	200 mi
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3	Southeast Technical College	69.7	$7,650 - $20,272	$53,289	56%	Yes*	131 mi
4	Mid-Plains Community College	65.7	Contact school for pricing	$47,858	49%	Yes*	219 mi
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5	Minnesota State Community and Technical College	64.5	$5,908 - $17,194	$54,581	47%	Yes*	219 mi
6	Western Dakota Technical College	60.4	$8,294 - $18,845	$49,930	54%	Yes*	192 mi
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7	Central Community College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$48,675	46%	Yes*	225 mi
8	Minnesota West Community and Technical College	58.5	$6,491 - $17,408	$52,390	49%	Yes*	192 mi
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9	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	Contact school for pricing	$47,713	44%	Yes*	186 mi
10	Metropolitan Community College Area	46.7	Contact school for pricing	$53,376	27%	Yes*	260 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Dakota employs approximately 1,290 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,900 ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: dental assisting program or on-the-job training where the state allows it (find programs)
Typical timeline: a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires
Licensing authority: South Dakota State Board of Dentistry
Exam: DANB CDA and/or state RDA or radiography permit
Median wage (South Dakota): $47,900 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota

How to become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota? Complete a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Apply through South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.

How long does it take? Most people finish a short dental assisting program or on-the-job training where allowed, then DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit the board requires. Confirm current hour totals with the program and South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota credentials this role through South Dakota State Board of Dentistry ³. See the licensing section below.

What do dental assistants earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Dakota is $47,900 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,190 and experienced professionals can earn $60,310 or more ¹.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Dakota

Meet basic requirements. Most South Dakota dental assisting programs expect a high school diploma or GED. Confirm age and background rules with South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.
Complete a dental assisting program or on-the-job training if the state allows it. Finish a certificate (often under a year) or associate program in South Dakota. Prefer a CODA-accredited program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CDA and any state assistant credential. DANB CDA is the national exam. Some states also require RDA, a radiography permit, or expanded-functions (EFDA). Confirm current permits with South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.
Apply to the state dental board when registration is required. Some states register assistants; others only permit X-ray or expanded duties; some allow OJT with no statewide license. Do not treat a hygienist or dentist license as the assistant path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Dental Assistant License Requirements in South Dakota

Dental assistants in South Dakota typically complete a short program or on-the-job training where allowed, then earn DANB CDA and any RDA or radiography permit South Dakota State Board of Dentistry requires. See South Dakota State Board of Dentistry ³.

Typical path

Meet the program’s entry rules.
Complete a dental assisting program or OJT if the state allows it.
Earn DANB CDA and any state RDA or radiography permit.
Apply to South Dakota State Board of Dentistry when registration or licensure is required.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with South Dakota State Board of Dentistry before you enroll.

Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), dental assistants wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	450	$48,890	$51,590	$38,470	$60,770
Rapid City	320	$47,850	$49,070	$37,970	$59,030
Sioux City	190	$48,590	$51,060	$39,530	$59,660

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for dental assistants in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,290 dental assistants ¹. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a dental assistant in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota State Board of Dentistry for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do dental assistants earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in South Dakota is $47,900, which is $600 above the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota State Board of Dentistry - Licensing Information: https://www.sdboardofdentistry.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)