Vet tech salary in South Dakota
Vet techs in South Dakota earned a median of $45,300 a year in May 2025, about $21.78 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 4% below the U.S. median of $47,380. Eight in ten earned between $35,780 (10th percentile) and $50,440 (90th percentile).
Vet tech pay in South Dakota
| Level | A year | An hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Median | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| 90th percentile | $50,440 | $24.25 |
South Dakota ranks 33 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by median vet tech pay. About 300 vet techs worked in South Dakota. BLS reports veterinary technologists (usually a four-year degree) and technicians (usually a two-year degree) as one group.
Jobs in South Dakota
Browse veterinary jobs, with pay shown when the employer states it.
Other veterinary roles in South Dakota
| Role | Median a year | Median an hour | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet tech | $45,300 | $21.78 | $47,380 |
| Vet assistant | $34,700 | $16.68 | $38,150 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 | $130,100 |
The credential in South Dakota
Title: Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). Required to work as a tech: Yes. Full rules: how to become a vet tech in South Dakota. Training: vet tech schools in South Dakota.
FAQ
How much does a vet tech make in South Dakota?
The median was $45,300 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 4% below the U.S. median of $47,380.
How much does a vet tech make an hour in South Dakota?
About $21.78 an hour at the median, from the BLS yearly figure of $45,300 divided by 2,080 hours.
How does South Dakota rank for vet tech pay?
South Dakota ranks 33 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by BLS median pay. The highest medians were District of Columbia ($61,270), California ($60,630), Washington ($59,740).
Do you need a license to be a vet tech in South Dakota?
Yes. The law says technicians must be registered by the Board before a licensed veterinarian employs them. See the South Dakota guide.
Figures are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025, the latest release, for wage and salary workers (the self-employed are not included). The median is the middle wage: half earned more, half earned less. Hourly figures are the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours, the way BLS converts between the two. Retrieved from the BLS Public Data API on November 5, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025, veterinary technologists and technicians
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS state estimates (Public Data API)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Get veterinary jobs in your state by email
We are adding vet tech, assistant and veterinarian jobs state by state. Leave your email and state, and we will write when jobs in your state go up or your state's rules change. One email a week at most.