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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Scientist in South Dakota is $66,075 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, an Assistant Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Assistant Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $71,838 | $5,986 | $1,381 | $35 |
| Average | $66,075 | $5,506 | $1,271 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,065 | $5,089 | $1,174 | $29 |
Innovative Element - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, OH
Govcio LLC - CHARLESTON, SC
Abbott Laboratories - MINERVA PARK, OH
Sonora Quest Laboratories - TORRINGTON, WY
An Assistant Scientist'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 an Assistant Scientist'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 |
|---|---|
| Assistant... Level Assistant Scientist | $66,423 |
| Data Scie... Level Assistant Scientist | $81,269 |
| Data Scie... Level Assistant Scientist | $103,968 |
| Data Scie... Level Assistant Scientist | $118,473 |
| Data Scie... Level Assistant Scientist | $158,873 |
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 Assistant Scientists. 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 Assistant Scientist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Scientist positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $85,897 | $41.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $85,897 | $41.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $82,593 | $40.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $79,290 | $38.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $75,986 | $37.0 | 15% |
Understanding how an Assistant Scientist'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 | $71,838 | $5,986 | $1,381 | $35 |
| Average | $66,075 | $5,506 | $1,271 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,065 | $5,089 | $1,174 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Sonora Quest Laboratories
WORLAND, WY
Sonora Quest Laboratories | WORLAND, WY
Sonora Quest Laboratories is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist I to perform high-quality diagnostic testing within a tech-driven lab environment. You ... more
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Fusion Medical Staffing
SEWARD, AK
Fusion Medical Staffing | SEWARD, AK
Fusion Medical Staffing seeks a Travel Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform high-quality diagnostic testing in hospital and clinic laboratories nationwi... more
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Fusion Medical Staffing
FORT SHAFTER, HI
Fusion Medical Staffing | FORT SHAFTER, HI
Fusion Medical Staffing seeks a Travel Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform high-quality diagnostic testing in hospital and clinic laboratories nationwi... more
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Avera Health
YANKTON, SD
Avera Health | YANKTON, SD
Avera Health is seeking a detail-oriented Medical Laboratory Technician/Scientist to join our Laboratory Services team. In this role, you will perform rout... more
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Essentia Health
JAMESTOWN, ND
Essentia Health | JAMESTOWN, ND
Essentia Health is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician or Scientist to perform accurate, timely diagnostic testing that supports high-quality, patient-... more
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Intermountain Health
MURRAY, UT
Intermountain Health | MURRAY, UT
Intermountain Health seeks a Medical Lab Scientist to perform complex diagnostic testing supporting high-quality, patient-centered care. Responsibilities i... more
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