Healthcare Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Medical Assistant Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median medical assistant salary in Aberdeen, SD is $32,147 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$32,147
vs State Avg
$-1,531
vs National
$-6,123
Cost of Living
84%

Medical Assistant Pay in Aberdeen: What to Expect (2026)

Aberdeen offers a median medical assistant salary of $32,147, which is $1,531 below the South Dakota state average of $33,678. Compared to the national median of $38,270, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $32,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $38,270 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for medical assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical assistants in Aberdeen spans from $24,696 at the 10th percentile to $43,680 at the 90th percentile — a $18,984 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,200, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $40,320. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $25,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $40,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$31,920
$-6,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$40,320
$-7,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $24,696
25th Percentile $27,888
Median (50th) $32,147
75th Percentile $37,632
90th Percentile $43,680

Medical Assistant Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$35,208
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$34,443
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$32,912
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$31,381
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Aberdeen

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Aberdeen and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Aberdeen may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open medical assistant positions in Aberdeen, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $32,147 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $24,696 (10th percentile) to $43,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,147, a medical assistant in Aberdeen earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median medical assistant salary of $32,147 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $33,678. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $32,147 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Aberdeen? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Aberdeen require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.