CertOutlook

Medical Assistant in South Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$39,350
trending_down -11.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.

engineering
1,170

Jobs (SD)

monitoring Surging
+12.5%

10-yr job growth

payments
$150

Licensing fees

schedule
9-24 months

Time to complete

route How to become a medical assistant in South Dakota

To become a Medical Assistant in South Dakota, while state registration is no longer required, national certification is highly recommended by employers. Aspiring medical assistants should complete an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program and then pass a national certification exam such as the CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA. Although there are no state-mandated continuing education requirements, national certifications typically require ongoing education for renewal.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $31,450
25th percentile $36,130
50th (median) $39,350
75th percentile $44,550
90th (experienced) $47,840

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Dakota requirements

Licensing bodySouth Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED. Completion of an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program is preferred by employers and may be necessary for national certification.
ExamNational certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) is strongly preferred by employers. ($125)
Application fee$25
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
NotesSouth Dakota no longer requires medical assistants to be registered with the Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners as of July 1, 2021. While state registration is not required, national certification is strongly preferred by employers. Applicants for national certification must typically be at least 18 years old and have graduated from an accredited program. Some national certifications may also be obtained through work experience.

Source: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+12.5%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
112,300
Nationwide per year
Total employment
811,000
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure 0.15/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+12.5%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a medical assistant career is the right fit?
See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a medical assistant in South Dakota? expand_more
The path to medical assistant licensure in South Dakota: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED. Completion of an accredited postsecondary medical assisting program is preferred by employers and may be necessary for national certification.), pass the National certification (CMA, RMA, CCMA, or NCMA) is strongly preferred by employers., and submit your application ($25 fee).
Is a state license required for medical assistants in South Dakota? expand_more
medical assistants in South Dakota are not required to hold a state license. Note: South Dakota no longer requires medical assistants to be registered with the Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners as of July 1, 2021. While state registration is not required, national certification is strongly preferred by employers. Applicants for national certification must typically be at least 18 years old and have graduated from an accredited program. Some national certifications may also be obtained through work experience.
What is the average medical assistant salary in South Dakota? expand_more
South Dakota medical assistants bring home a median salary of $39,350. This trails the $44,200 national median by 11%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $31,450, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $47,840.
How much does it cost to become a medical assistant in South Dakota? expand_more
The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($125) and application fee ($25) and required training.
How quickly can I become a medical assistant in South Dakota? expand_more
In South Dakota, becoming a medical assistant generally takes 9-24 months, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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