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Surgical Technologist in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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South Dakota employs 600 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $59,870 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $59,870 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,450
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,900
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,470
Employed in South Dakota: 600
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major South Dakota markets:

Rapid City: $61,960 (110 employed)
Sioux City: $59,670 (90 employed)
Sioux Falls: $53,850 (310 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota

Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $59,870 median stretches to roughly $67,573 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +15.5%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) — regulated by the No South Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard.

South Dakota does not license surgical technologists.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program (~1–2 years).
Earn the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential — the hiring standard.

Official requirements: No South Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard →

Training in South Dakota

Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling; hospital systems hire steadily.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Dakota State University — Associate
Lake Area Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Mitchell Technical College — Certificate / Associate
National American University-Rapid City — Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in South Dakota

Real South Dakota surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Black Hills Regional Eye Surgery Center — Rapid City
Dakota West Surgery Center — Rapid City
Brookings Ambulatory Surgery Center, LLP — Brookings
Vance Thompson Vision Surgery Center — Sioux Falls
Yankton Medical Clinic Avera - Surgery Center — Yankton
Plastic Surgical Center — Rapid City

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Focused people who like structured clinical environments and precise routines.

Think twice if: Blood, surgery, standing for long cases, or high-pressure teams are dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

First Steps

Look for accredited surgical technology programs and clinical placement details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do surgical technologists make in South Dakota?

The median wage for surgical technologists in South Dakota is $59,870 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,470. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in South Dakota?

No state license; Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), overseen by the No South Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard. South Dakota does not license surgical technologists.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in South Dakota?

Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

Which South Dakota metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Rapid City leads at $61,960, followed by Sioux City ($59,670), Sioux Falls ($53,850). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Surgical Technologist in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include Dakota State University, Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects surgical technologists employment to change +15.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Dakota state license — NBSTSA certification is the standard (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Dakota wages · South Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.