Academic Lab Technician Salary in South Dakota

How much does an Academic Lab Technician make in South Dakota? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Lab Technician in South Dakota is $57,625 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, an Academic Lab Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $72,053
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,788 to $65,178
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,474

Key Factors That Influence Academic Lab Technician Salaries

An Academic Lab 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.

How Experience Level Affects Academic Lab Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Lab 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $55,617
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,262
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,835
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,150
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,360
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Academic Lab Technician less than 1 year $55,617
Early Career Level Academic Lab Technician 1-2 years $56,262
Mid-Level Level Academic Lab Technician 2-4 years $57,835
Senior-Level Level Academic Lab Technician 5-8 years $58,150
Expert Level Academic Lab Technician over 8 years $58,360

Top Paying Cities for Academic Lab Technician

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:

  • Alcester: $58,226
  • Aurora: $58,535
  • Baltic: $57,906

Academic Lab Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Academic Lab Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Transportation and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Academic Lab Technician positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Academic Lab Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Academic Lab Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation $86,438 $42.0 50%
Software & Networking $83,557 $40.0 45%
MFG Durable $80,676 $39.0 40%
Pharmaceuticals $77,794 $37.0 35%
Internet $74,913 $36.0 30%

Academic Lab Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academic Lab 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$51,788
Average $57,625/year
$65,178
$4,316
Average $4,802/month
$5,431
$996
Average $1,108/week
$1,253
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $65,178 $5,431 $1,253 $31
Average $57,625 $4,802 $1,108 $28
25th Percentile $51,788 $4,316 $996 $25

Find Your Next Academic Lab Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Academic Lab Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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