How Much Does an MLT Make in South Dakota in 2026?

A typical MLT in South Dakota earns about $29.28 per hour ($60,890 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, this annual compensation translates to roughly $5,074 per month calculated from the annual figure. That equalizes to about $1,171 per week for a standard full-time laboratory schedule. These earnings reflect steady employment across regional hospital systems and diagnostic facilities.

South Dakota pays about 3% below the national typical wage of $62,930 per year ($30.26 hourly). This compensation level places the state 31st among all states for technician wages. The statewide workforce includes 1,280 technicians, compared to 332,940 positions nationwide. Lower regional wages often mirror South Dakota's more affordable overall cost of living.

Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $18.05 per hour, which equals $37,550 annually. Developing technicians who have gained early laboratory experience commonly earn $22.66 per hour, or $47,140 per year. Pay generally moves toward the state typical rate of $29.28 within a few years on the job. Technicians gain diagnostic speed and instrument familiarity during this foundational period.

Experienced medical laboratory technicians often earn upwards of $36.39 per hour, translating to $75,700 annually. Senior staff in the top 10% of earners make over $39.21 hourly, or $81,560 per year. This creates an overall entry-to-top spread of $44,010 across South Dakota careers. Practice setting, specialized bench experience, and city assignment separate these earning tiers over time.

Technician earnings in South Dakota grew steadily from $47,430 in 2017 to $60,890 in 2025. That trajectory represents a dollar gain of $13,460 over eight recorded years. Across this timeframe, typical salaries posted a 28% rise throughout the state healthcare sector. Laboratory compensation saw gradual annual increases alongside expanding regional medical infrastructure.

South Dakota's wage growth outpaced the national decade rise of 22% over the same period. For professionals entering the field today, pay has moved up to meet modern regional demand. These historical figures demonstrate solid wage progress without guaranteeing future salary trajectories. Healthcare providers have maintained competitive local wage schedules to retain trained technical staff.

City figures cover each city's full metro area across government reporting. Because South Dakota lists only two metropolitan areas in the dataset, pay is fairly uniform across the state instead of varying wildly. Sioux Falls reports the highest metropolitan compensation at $57,910 per year ($27.84 hourly). This rate sits 5% below the state figure, as rural healthcare networks frequently offer higher base incentives.

Rapid City represents the lowest-paying metropolitan area, where technicians earn $47,240 annually ($22.71 hourly). This establishes a city spread of $10,670 between the two tracked urban centers. Sioux Falls supports the largest MLT workforce in the state with 650 positions. These urban rates generally correspond to lower overall living expenses.

South Dakota's annual pay of $60,890 sits below neighboring Minnesota at $74,440, Wyoming at $65,510, Montana at $65,190, and North Dakota at $62,680. However, the state pays above Nebraska at $60,540 and Iowa at $54,260. Minnesota presents the highest regional rate at 22% above South Dakota, while Iowa trails by 11%. Licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

Medical laboratory technicians in South Dakota earn a typical annual salary of $60,890, following a solid 28% wage rise over the past decade. Those planning a healthcare career in the state should review the state licensing or registry page for credential requirements. Prospective technicians can also consult individual city pages for local figures and community wage patterns before making employment decisions.