"How long does it take to become a medical assistant in South Dakota?"

"Most paths into the medical assistant field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do medical assistants need a license in South Dakota?"

"Yes. South Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for medical assistants, administered by the South Dakota Board of Medical \u0026 Osteopathic Examiners. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for medical assistants in South Dakota?"

"In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Medical Assistant in South Dakota

Q: "How much do medical assistants earn in South Dakota?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), medical assistants in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $41,870. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.56 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,340 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $41,870 ($20.13/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,340 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -8.4% below the national median of $45,690 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $41,870 ($20.13/hr)
25th percentile: $37,730 per year
75th percentile: $45,870 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $48,960 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,980 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 1,340
Versus national median: -8.4% below the U.S. median of $45,690
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.56 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs approximately 1,340 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $41,870 ¹. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a medical assistant in South Dakota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in South Dakota

How do I become a medical assistant in South Dakota? South Dakota requires credentials such as Medical Assistant. The licensing authority is the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for medical assistants. The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do medical assistants earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for medical assistants in South Dakota is $41,870 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,980 and experienced professionals can earn $48,960 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
Median wage (South Dakota): $41,870 per year ¹

Medical Assistant License Requirements in South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees medical assistant licensing in South Dakota ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Medical Assistant	A medical assistant is a professional multiskilled person who assists in all aspects of medical practice under the responsibility and direct supervision of a person licensed to practice medicine in th…

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical 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	620	$43,760	$43,390	$36,700	$49,540
Sioux City	280	$45,650	$44,700	$36,760	$54,700
Rapid City	240	$40,690	$41,390	$36,190	$47,920

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 2025.

Top Metros for Medical assistants in South Dakota

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within South Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Sioux Falls	620	$43,760
Rapid City	240	$40,690

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical assistants in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,340 medical assistants ¹. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a medical assistant in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do medical assistants earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in South Dakota is $41,870, which is $2,330 below the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data ¹.

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 Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.sdbmoe.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

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)