Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in South Dakota: $29,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $29,493/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $31,781 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($30,241), Sioux Falls ($29,934), Watertown ($15,350).
In South Dakota, the projected average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $29,493, which is approximately 2.8% lower than the national median of $30,349. The highest paying city is Rapid City, where specialists can expect to earn about $30,943, while Huron offers the lowest wage at $15,064. This significant disparity, nearly $15,879, may be influenced by the differences in demand for healthcare services, population density, and the presence of medical facilities in these areas. While South Dakota maintains a relatively lower salary scale compared to the national average, the state's job market for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to grow at a rate of 2.32% annually. Current employment figures indicate about 575 specialists are employed in the state, with the top cities for employment being Sioux Falls at $30,628, followed by Watertown at $15,706, Yankton at $15,701, and Spearfish at $15,662. Regulatory factors such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws may also play a role in salary variations. Continued demand for healthcare professionals across the state suggests stable job prospects, particularly in larger urban areas.
South Dakota Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $11,205 (lowest entry-level) to $47,524 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota medical billing and coding specialists earn 2.82% less than the national median ($-856/year difference).
South Dakota Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in South Dakota range from $19,653 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $45,358 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $29,493. The South Dakota median is $856 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $14.18/hr. Approximately 575 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 11 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$46,926
2025 BLS Actual
$28,824
2026 Current Est.
$29,493
2021–2027 Growth
+-35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Dakota (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,113 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,116 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,824 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,177 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -38.6% from $46,926 (2021) to $28,824 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,749 (-35.69%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $15,064 |
| Vermillion | $15,087 |
| Brookings | $15,091 |
| Pierre | $15,346 |
| Aberdeen | $15,523 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $30,943 | 89.16 | $34,705 |
| Sioux Falls | $30,628 | 90.631 | $33,794 |
| Watertown | $15,706 | 92.8 | $16,925 |
| Yankton | $15,701 | 92.8 | $16,919 |
| Spearfish | $15,662 | 92.8 | $16,877 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $19,653 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $29,493 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $45,358 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $30,943 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $30,628 |
| 3 | Watertown | $15,706 |
| 4 | Yankton | $15,701 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $15,662 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $15,549 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $15,523 |
| 8 | Pierre | $15,346 |
| 9 | Brookings | $15,091 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $15,087 |
| 11 | Huron | $15,064 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in South Dakota?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov