Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists Salary
The median pay for a medical scientists, except epidemiologists in South Dakota is $80,890/year ($38.89/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $89,988 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 18.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $81K get you in South Dakota?
About medical scientists, except epidemiologists
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Pay for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in South Dakota runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $103K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,017/month, 18.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, South Dakota can be a reasonable trade-off for medical scientists, except epidemiologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level medical scientists, except epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a medical scientists, except epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 18.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for medical scientists, except epidemiologists in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new medical scientists, except epidemiologists typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,568/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is medical scientists, except epidemiologist a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $81K here vs. $103K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for medical scientists, except epidemiologists?
South Dakota pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $103K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $90K — below the national median.
How much do medical scientists, except epidemiologists make in South Dakota?
The median is $80,890 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,470, and experienced medical scientists, except epidemiologists can clear $127,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,441/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 18.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical scientists, except epidemiologists salary is worth about $89,988 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical scientists, except epidemiologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.