Surgical Technologist Salary in South Dakota: $59,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $59,064/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,647 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($61,960), Watertown ($57,688), Yankton ($57,670).
In 2026, surgical technologists in South Dakota can expect an average median salary of $59,064, which is approximately 13.3% lower than the national median of $68,141. The highest-paying city in the state is Rapid City, with an average salary of $65,306, while Sioux Falls offers the lowest salary at $56,758, creating a gap of $8,548. Factors influencing this difference include local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the specific healthcare facilities available in each city. Currently, there are 465 surgical technologists employed in South Dakota, and the industry is projected to grow at a rate of 5.40% annually. This growth is driven by an increasing population, advancements in surgical procedures, and an aging demographic that requires more medical services. South Dakota has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence employment opportunities and salary ranges. Those entering the field should be aware of these regulations as they can impact job prospects. Overall, the demand for surgical technologists in South Dakota indicates a positive job market outlook, suggesting stability for new entrants into the profession.
South Dakota Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $40,526 (lowest entry-level) to $86,449 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota surgical technologists earn 13.32% less than the national median ($-9,077/year difference).
South Dakota Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in South Dakota range from $42,648 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,580 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,064. The South Dakota median is $9,077 below the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $28.40/hr. Approximately 465 surgical technologists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,843
2025 BLS Actual
$56,038
2026 Current Est.
$59,064
2019–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,921 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,646 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,521 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 33.9% from $41,843 (2019) to $56,038 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,410 (48.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $56,758 |
| Huron | $58,316 |
| Vermillion | $58,406 |
| Brookings | $58,421 |
| Pierre | $59,410 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $65,306 | 89.16 | $73,246 |
| Watertown | $60,803 | 92.8 | $65,520 |
| Yankton | $60,784 | 92.8 | $65,500 |
| Spearfish | $60,631 | 92.8 | $65,335 |
| Mitchell | $60,194 | 92.8 | $64,864 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,648 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,064 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,580 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $65,306 |
| 2 | Watertown | $60,803 |
| 3 | Yankton | $60,784 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $60,631 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $60,194 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $60,094 |
| 7 | Pierre | $59,410 |
| 8 | Brookings | $58,421 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $58,406 |
| 10 | Huron | $58,316 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $56,758 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore surgical technologist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in South Dakota?
How many surgical technologists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary 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 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov