How Much Does an MRI Tech Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for MRI Techs in South Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical MRI Tech in South Dakota earns about $37.03 per hour, or $77,010 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $6,418 a month, or about $1,481 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Both figures describe pay before overtime or shift differentials.
That is 19% below the national figure of $95,480 a year, and South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states and Washington, D.C. for MRI Tech pay. About 210 MRI Techs work in the state, a small workforce compared with the national total of 43,390. Lower pay here tracks the state's lower cost of living.
MRI Tech pay in South Dakota at a glance
- MRI Techs in South Dakota typically earn $37.03 an hour ($77,010 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- South Dakota pay runs 19% below the national figure, ranking 50th out of 51 states and D.C.
- Rapid City pays the most in the state, at $81,840 a year for MRI Techs.
- Entry-level positions typically start around $51,160 a year, while the top 10% make over $97,660.
- South Dakota MRI Tech pay has risen 36% over the past decade, from $56,730 in 2015 to $77,010 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MRI Tech make in South Dakota?
MRI Tech pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $51,160$24.60 an hour | $68,890$33.12 an hour |
| First years | $67,620$32.51 an hour | $81,040$38.96 an hour |
| Typical MRI Tech | $77,010$37.03 an hour | $95,480$45.91 an hour |
| Experienced | $83,130$39.97 an hour | $106,340$51.12 an hour |
| Top 10% | $97,660$46.95 an hour | $127,670$61.38 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
MRI Tech pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $24.60 an hour ($51,160 a year). That is a common starting point for those newer to the field or working in smaller facilities. Pay tends to move toward the typical $77,010 figure within a few years of experience.
Experienced MRI Techs often earn upwards of $39.97 an hour ($83,130 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $46.95 an hour ($97,660 a year). That is a spread of about $46,500 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual lands within that range.
MRI Tech pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for MRI Techs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota MRI Tech pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $56,730 in 2015 to $77,010 in 2025. That is a gain of $20,280, or 36%, over ten years. Growth was fairly steady year to year, with an especially sizable jump in the most recent year, from $66,870 in 2024 to $77,010 in 2025.
Nationally, MRI Tech pay rose 41% over the same decade, a slightly faster pace than South Dakota's rise. Pay for the profession has moved up in both cases, though nothing about that pattern guarantees future increases. Someone starting an MRI Tech career in South Dakota today enters a field where pay has trended upward for ten straight years.
MRI Tech salary by city in South Dakota
Pay runs highest in Rapid City, where MRI Techs earn $81,840 a year ($39.35 an hour), about 6% above the statewide figure. These figures reflect the full Rapid City metro area, not just the city center. With only two cities reporting MRI Tech data in South Dakota, Rapid City stands as the higher-paying option of the two.
Sioux Falls pays somewhat less, at $75,510 a year ($36.30 an hour), a gap of $6,330 between the two cities. Sioux Falls also employs the most MRI Techs in the state, with about 120 working there compared with 50 in Rapid City. The modest gap between the two suggests pay is fairly consistent across South Dakota, and differences often trace back to local living costs.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | MRI Techs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $81,840 | $39.35 | +6% | 50 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $75,510 | $36.30 | -2% | 120 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $77,010
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
South Dakota pays less than every one of its neighbors. Minnesota leads the group at $100,900 a year, 31% above South Dakota, while Wyoming pays $92,010, 19% higher. North Dakota comes closest, at $80,610, just 5% above South Dakota's figure. MRI Tech licensure earned in South Dakota can often be endorsed or transferred to a neighboring state, and vice versa, though requirements vary by state board.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $77,010 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $100,900 | +31% |
| Wyoming | $92,010 | +19% |
| Montana | $86,950 | +13% |
| Nebraska | $82,710 | +7% |
| Iowa | $81,420 | +6% |
| North Dakota | $80,610 | +5% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical MRI Tech pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for MRI Techs?
MRI Techs in South Dakota earn less than in most states: typical pay is $77,010 a year, 19% below the national figure, ranking 50th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 0.5 are MRI Tech positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on MRI Techs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: MRI Techs make up a larger share of South Dakota's workforce than in most states.
Summary
MRI Techs in South Dakota typically earn $77,010 a year ($37.03 an hour), a figure that has climbed 36% since 2015. Pay sits below the national figure and below every neighboring state, though it has moved steadily upward over the past decade. Readers weighing a move into the field can check South Dakota's licensing and registry requirements, and compare local figures for Rapid City and Sioux Falls before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MRI Tech make in South Dakota?
- MRI Techs in South Dakota typically earn $37.03 an hour, or $77,010 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 19% below the national figure of $95,480 a year, reflecting the state's lower cost of living compared with many other parts of the country.
- How much does an MRI Tech make an hour in South Dakota?
- MRI Techs in South Dakota earn about $37.03 an hour based on the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay ranges from around $24.60 an hour for entry-level positions up to more than $46.95 an hour for the top 10% of earners.
- What is the starting pay for an MRI Tech in South Dakota?
- Entry-level MRI Techs in South Dakota typically start around $24.60 an hour, or about $51,160 a year. Pay generally rises with experience, moving toward the state's typical figure of $77,010 a year within a few years, and up to $97,660 a year for the top 10% of earners.
- Which city in South Dakota pays MRI Techs the most?
- Rapid City pays the most, with MRI Techs typically earning $81,840 a year, about 6% above the statewide figure. Sioux Falls follows at $75,510 a year and employs the largest number of MRI Techs in the state, with about 120 working there.
- Is MRI Tech pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. MRI Tech pay in South Dakota runs about 19% below the national figure of $95,480 a year, and the state ranks 50th out of 51 states and Washington, D.C. Lower pay in South Dakota generally tracks its lower cost of living relative to many other states.