Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $38,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,524 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,506 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($45,935) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected starting medical assistant salary in Sioux Falls of $38,524 for 2026, new graduates can expect to begin their careers with a salary somewhat below the city's median annual income of $45,935. This gap indicates that while entry-level positions might be competitive, they offer room for growth as new professionals gain experience. Over the first few years, graduates can anticipate progression through the pay scale, moving from the entry-level rate up to $40,287 and potentially reaching the median salary as they build their skills and confidence in the field. As the healthcare sector in Sioux Falls continues to grow, driven by advancements in primary care and urgent care facilities, recent graduates should find a relatively favorable job market to launch their careers in medical assisting.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
Entry-level medical assistants in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $38,524 and $40,287 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $13,478 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $45,935 — 4.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in South Dakota of $5,500 represents just 14.28% of the starting medical assistant pay ($38,524/year) in Sioux Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $38,524 to $40,287, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Sioux Falls is $13,478 ( 34.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,524, experienced hygienists can earn up to $52,002.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,320
2025 BLS Actual
$36,700
2026 Current Est.
$38,524
2019–2027 Growth
+66.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,439 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew 50.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,320 in 2019 to $36,700 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,439. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Sioux Falls
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Primary care offices and urgent care clinics in Sioux Falls are key employers looking to hire new graduates as medical assistants. These settings often provide structured onboarding programs that support recent grads in transitioning from school to the workforce. In contrast, specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, typically prefer candidates with prior experience. However, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may offer unique benefits like National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment options and positions that are bilingual premium. For those entering the field, obtaining a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited program can significantly enhance earning potential. National certifications from organizations such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, and NCCT boost credibility and starting pay. With the medical assistant workforce anticipated to expand rapidly, professionals can expect realistic salary growth within their initial years—competing for positions in burgeoning sectors such as corporate occupational health while also having pathways available toward roles as LPNs or RNs when seeking advancement.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov