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

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

"What apprenticeships are available for veterinary 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 Veterinary Assistant in South Dakota

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), veterinary assistants in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $34,700. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.67 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

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

"South Dakota currently employs approximately 250 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.7% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earn a median annual wage of $34,700 ($16.68/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 250 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -9.0% below the national median of $38,150 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $34,700 ($16.68/hr)
25th percentile: $29,320 per year
75th percentile: $36,100 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $36,700 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $28,390 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 250
Versus national median: -9.0% below the U.S. median of $38,150
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.67 - 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 250 veterinary assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,700 ¹. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 22,200 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a veterinary assistant in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Veterinary Assistant in South Dakota

How do I become a veterinary assistant in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for veterinary assistants in South Dakota.

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.

What do veterinary assistants earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in South Dakota is $34,700 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,390 and experienced professionals can earn $36,700 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (South Dakota): $34,700 per year ¹

Veterinary Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers 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	60	$36,250	$34,880	$28,420	$41,400
Rapid City	40	$35,640	$33,020	$27,670	$36,860

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 Veterinary assistants in South Dakota

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest veterinary 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	60	$36,250
Rapid City	40	$35,640

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for veterinary assistants in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 250 veterinary assistants ¹. Nationally, veterinary assistant employment is projected to grow 8.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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 veterinary assistants earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for veterinary assistants in South Dakota is $34,700, which is $2,620 below the national median of $37,320 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)