Healthcare Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Medical Assistant Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median medical assistant salary in Rapid City, SD is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$34,443
vs State Avg
+$765
vs National
$-3,827
Cost of Living
90%

Medical Assistant Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median medical assistant salary of $34,443, which is $765 above the South Dakota state average of $33,678. Compared to the national median of $38,270, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for medical assistants in Rapid City spans from $26,460 at the 10th percentile to $46,800 at the 90th percentile — a $20,340 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,000, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $43,200. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $43,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,200
$-3,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$43,200
$-4,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $26,460
25th Percentile $29,880
Median (50th) $34,443
75th Percentile $40,320
90th Percentile $46,800

Medical Assistant Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$35,208
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$32,912
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$32,147
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$31,381
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Rapid City

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Rapid City 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 Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open medical assistant positions in Rapid City, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $34,443 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $26,460 (10th percentile) to $46,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,443, a medical assistant in Rapid City earns approximately $17 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Rapid City's median medical assistant salary of $34,443 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $33,678. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $34,443 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Rapid City? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Rapid City 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.