How Much Does an MLT Make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Rapid City, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across South Dakota.
BLS OES May 2025 · Rapid City metro area
A typical MLT in Rapid City, South Dakota earns $22.71 per hour, or $47,240 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,937 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,550, and the top 10% of earners make over $84,610.
That pay is 22% below the South Dakota figure of $60,890 and 25% below the national figure of $62,930. Rapid City ranks 2nd of 2 metro areas in South Dakota for MLT pay. About 230 MLTs work in the Rapid City area.
MLT pay in Rapid City at a glance
- Typical pay is $22.71 an hour, or $47,240 a year.
- That is 22% below the South Dakota figure, ranking 2nd of 2 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,550; the top 10% make over $84,610.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Rapid City?
Pay in Rapid City runs from entry-level positions at around $18.05 an hour to more than $40.68 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the South Dakota and national figures.
MLT pay by career stage in Rapid City
| Career stage | Rapid City | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,550$18.05 an hour | $37,550$18.05 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $37,550$18.05 an hour | $47,140$22.66 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $47,240$22.71 an hour | $60,890$29.28 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $77,400$37.21 an hour | $75,700$36.39 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $84,610$40.68 an hour | $81,560$39.21 an hour | $100,990$48.55 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Rapid City area as BLS defines it
MLT pay growth in Rapid City
Typical (median) annual wage for MLTs in the Rapid City area · BLS OES May estimates, 2017 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2017, typical MLT pay in Rapid City was $49,940 a year. By 2025 it had reached $47,240.
How Rapid City compares with other South Dakota cities
Sioux Falls pays MLTs the most in South Dakota at $57,910 a year, $10,670 more than Rapid City. The lowest-paying area in the state is Rapid City at $47,240.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Rapid City | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $57,910 | $27.84 | +23% | 650 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $47,240 | $22.71 | this city | 230 |
Every metro area in South Dakota with MLT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $60,890
Is Rapid City a good place to work as an MLT?
MLTs in Rapid City earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $47,240 a year, 25% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Rapid City area, about 3.1 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.1. That makes the local economy more reliant on MLTs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Rapid City, SD?
- A typical MLT in Rapid City earns $47,240 a year, or $22.71 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,550 and the top 10% earn over $84,610.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Rapid City?
- Typical hourly pay for MLTs in Rapid City is $22.71. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.05, and the top 10% earn over $40.68 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Rapid City?
- Entry-level MLT positions in Rapid City typically offer around $18.05 an hour, or $37,550 a year.
- Is MLT pay in Rapid City higher than in the rest of South Dakota?
- Rapid City pay is 22% below the South Dakota figure of $60,890 a year, ranking 2nd of 2 metro areas in the state. Sioux Falls pays the most in South Dakota at $57,910.