Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in South Dakota: $47,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $47,487/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,171 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($46,490), Rapid City ($45,210), Watertown ($42,278).
In South Dakota, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $47,487 in 2026, which is approximately 5.0% lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Sioux Falls offering the highest average salary at $49,047, while Huron presents the lowest at $42,779. This disparity can be attributed to differences in demand for veterinary services, cost of living, and local economic conditions. Veterinary technologists and technicians in South Dakota must meet state licensing requirements, which can influence their scope of practice and job responsibilities. Additionally, the increasing pet ownership and emphasis on animal health contribute to the growing demand for these professionals, expected to rise at an annual rate of 5.50% over the coming years. As of 2026, a total of 195 individuals are employed in this field across the state, with other significant salary figures found in Rapid City at $47,697, Watertown at $44,603, and Yankton at $44,590. Overall, the career outlook for veterinary technologists and technicians in South Dakota remains positive, driven by evolving career opportunities and a steady demand for animal healthcare services.
South Dakota Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $32,599 (lowest entry-level) to $56,319 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota veterinary technologists and technicians earn 5% less than the national median ($-2,499/year difference).
South Dakota Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in South Dakota range from $36,461 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,869 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,487. The South Dakota median is $2,499 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $22.83/hr. Approximately 195 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,280
2025 BLS Actual
$45,011
2026 Current Est.
$47,487
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,025 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,011 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 24.1% from $36,280 (2019) to $45,011 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,819 (38.09%) 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 5.50% 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 |
|---|---|
| Huron | $42,779 |
| Vermillion | $42,846 |
| Brookings | $42,856 |
| Pierre | $43,581 |
| Aberdeen | $44,083 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $49,047 | 90.631 | $54,117 |
| Rapid City | $47,697 | 89.16 | $53,496 |
| Watertown | $44,603 | 92.8 | $48,064 |
| Yankton | $44,590 | 92.8 | $48,050 |
| Spearfish | $44,478 | 92.8 | $47,929 |
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) | $36,461 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,487 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,869 |
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 | Sioux Falls | $49,047 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $47,697 |
| 3 | Watertown | $44,603 |
| 4 | Yankton | $44,590 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $44,478 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $44,157 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $44,083 |
| 8 | Pierre | $43,581 |
| 9 | Brookings | $42,856 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $42,846 |
| 11 | Huron | $42,779 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in South Dakota?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
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 5.50% 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 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute 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 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov