Veterinarian Salary in South Dakota
Based on 280+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$88,650
$42.62/hr
vs National Average
$124,944
-29.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$62K – $129K
280 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Veterinarian in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,640 |
| 25th percentile | $74,860 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $88,650 |
| 75th percentile | $114,400 |
| 90th percentile | $128,920 |
Top-Paying Industries for Veterinarian (U.S.)
Which industries pay Veterinarians the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Veterinarians in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $185,480 | 140 |
| Wholesale Trade | $160,570 | 490 |
| Retail Trade | $150,920 | 640 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $146,960 | — |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $145,940 | 70 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Veterinarian in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $92,580 |
| 2023 | $100,950 |
| 2024 | $89,970 |
| 2025 | $88,650 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,650 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $92,580 | $103,756 |
| 2023 | $100,950 | $112,674 |
| 2024 | $89,970 | $118,465 |
| 2025 | $88,650 | $124,944 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,650 | $124,944 |
Veterinarian Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $74,860 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $88,650 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $114,400 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $128,920 |
Veterinarian Salary in Other States
Related Veterinarian Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Veterinarian ($88,650 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Veterinarian | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in SD | $586,010 | +561.0% | $281.74/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SD | $393,870 | +344.3% | $189.36/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SD | $297,610 | +235.7% | $143.08/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in SD | $280,520 | +216.4% | $134.87/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SD | $263,930 | +197.7% | $126.89/hr |
| Pediatrician in SD | $257,610 | +190.6% | $123.85/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SD | $239,970 | +170.7% | $115.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SD | $226,180 | +155.1% | $108.74/hr |
| Dentist in SD | $158,140 | +78.4% | $76.03/hr |
| Pharmacist in SD | $146,790 | +65.6% | $70.57/hr |
| Physician Assistant in SD | $133,200 | +50.3% | $64.04/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in SD | $128,840 | +45.3% | $61.94/hr |