Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $20.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Spearfish, SD runs $20.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,611 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Spearfish, SD, earn a median hourly rate of $20.52, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $23.06. This disparity in pay reflects the dynamics of local job markets and cost of living, impacting part-time and per-diem workers significantly. For those working three days a week, the income can vary greatly depending on experience, with entry-level positions starting around $16.49 per hour and experienced medical assistants earning up to $24.40 per hour. Many medical assistants find work in environments such as primary care exam rooms, specialty practice procedure rooms, urgent care intake stations, and outpatient clinics, where their hourly wages are derived from the broader annual salary figures reported in local labor statistics.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.49 | $131.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.40 | $147.21 |
| Median (P50) | $20.52 | $164.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.10 | $168.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.40 | $195.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $20.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.52/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $42,685 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,626. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $820.87 | $3,557 | $42,685 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $492.52 | $2,134 | $25,611 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.35 | $1,423 | $17,074 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Spearfish) | $20.52 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $42,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $44,500.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.52/hr = $25,611/year (purchasing power: $27,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,685/year (purchasing power: $45,997).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Spearfish grew 31.3% from $14.89/hr (2019) to $19.55/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Spearfish
Part-time medical assistants working 24 hours a week will take home just over $25,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time workers, who can approach nearly $43,000 based on the median rates. The per diem pay for medical assistants can range from $20 to $30 per hour for general roles, but specialty practices like dermatology and plastics often offer $25 to $38 per hour—making those opportunities highly attractive. Urgent care positions can involve long shifts, where stipends can add an extra $50 to $150 per shift, enhancing overall earnings. However, this raises the question of benefits versus hourly pay; some medical assistants may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, while others opt for higher pay without the perks, depending on their financial needs. When negotiating pay in Spearfish, it's wise to be aware of local salary trends and potential advancements to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Spearfish. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Spearfish is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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