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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Animal Technician in South Dakota is $44,556 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, a Lab Animal Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Animal Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $48,135 | $4,011 | $926 | $23 |
| Average | $44,556 | $3,713 | $857 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,235 | $3,353 | $774 | $19 |
Clinglobal Group - Brookings, SD
Christensen Farms - Pierre, SD
Meyer & Dana Orthodontics - Rapid City, SD
Monument Health - Rapid City, SD
A Lab Animal Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Animal Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lab Animal Technician | $43,656 |
| Intermediate Level Lab Animal Technician | $43,956 |
| Senior Level Lab Animal Technician | $45,730 |
| Specialist Level Lab Animal Technician | $47,260 |
| Expert Level Lab Animal Technician | $47,533 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lab Animal Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Lab Animal Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lab Animal Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Animal Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $57,923 | $28.0 | 30% |
| Healthcare | $46,784 | $22.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Lab Animal Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $48,135 | $4,011 | $926 | $23 |
| Average | $44,556 | $3,713 | $857 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,235 | $3,353 | $774 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Animal Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Monument Health
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