How much does a Veterinarian make in South Dakota?

BLS puts the average Veterinarian pay in South Dakota at $93,990 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in South Dakota, after federal taxes, FICA, and South Dakota state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $74,952 annually ($6,246/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Veterinarian in South Dakota?

On a $93,990 salary in South Dakota, your take-home pay is approximately $74,952/year or $6,246/month. Federal tax: $11,848. State tax: $0. FICA: $7,190.

Is $93,990 a good Veterinarian salary?

$93,990 is the BLS average Veterinarian pay in South Dakota, 34% below the US average of $142,680 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in South Dakota earn between $74,860 and $114,400.

How do South Dakota taxes affect Veterinarian salaries?

South Dakota levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $93,990 is $0. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 20.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for Veterinarians?

In South Dakota, the top 10% earn over $128,920 and the bottom 10% under $61,640 (BLS, May 2025). 19% growth through 2032 (much faster than average). Related roles include: Small Animal Vet, Large Animal Vet, Veterinary Specialist, Emergency Vet.

How can a Veterinarian in South Dakota reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Veterinarian Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Average Veterinarian pay in South Dakota

$93,990/year

≈ $45/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $74,860–$114,400

US average: $142,680

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$74,952/year

$6,246/month · effective tax rate 20.26%

Federal $11,848
FICA $7,190
Take-home

Pay by role in South Dakota

Senior Practice Owner / Equity Partner$155,000–$315,000+ profit
Senior Large Animal / Ranch Vet$118,000–$172,000+ truck
Senior Specialist Vet (Surgery / Internal Med)$148,000–$235,000+ bonus
Senior Emergency / Critical Care Vet$135,000–$215,000+ bonus
Senior Equine Vet$108,000–$165,000+ bonus
Senior Companion Animal Vet (Banfield / VCA)$105,000–$155,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$74,952
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,246
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,883
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$36/hr
Federal Tax	$11,848
State Tax	$0
FICA Taxes	$7,190
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	20.26%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Veterinarians earn the same — not even close

South Dakota's veterinary market is anchored by South Dakota State University Animal Sciences Brookings (the substantial SDSU Animal Science + the substantial SDSU veterinary partnership with UMN College of Veterinary Medicine + SDSU-UMN 2+2 DVM program ~25 DVMs annually + the substantial SDSU Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences) — SD has NO in-state DVM-granting institution (closest: UMN St Paul + Iowa State Ames + Colorado State Fort Collins + WSU Pullman), the substantial SD cattle + ranching veterinary (SD #5 US beef cow inventory + the substantial SD cattle ranching + the substantial Western SD ranching DVM + the substantial USDA-APHIS SD), Banfield Pet Hospital SD + VCA Animal Hospitals SD (Mars Veterinary Health corporate), the substantial SD independent veterinary practice, plus the substantial SD #1 US sunflower + flaxseed + ag veterinary.

Senior Practice Owner / Equity Partner

$155,000–$315,000+ profit

Independent + equity-partner DVM · the substantial SD mixed + companion + ranch practice

Senior Large Animal / Ranch Vet

$118,000–$172,000+ truck

Large animal DVM · SD cattle + ranching + the substantial Western SD ranch DVM + USDA-APHIS

Senior Specialist Vet (Surgery / Internal Med)

$148,000–$235,000+ bonus

Board-certified specialist · the substantial SD specialty referral · DACVS + DACVIM

Senior Emergency / Critical Care Vet

$135,000–$215,000+ bonus

Emergency + critical care DVM · the substantial SD 24/7 ER referral · DACVECC

Senior Equine Vet

$108,000–$165,000+ bonus

Equine DVM · the substantial SD ranch + rodeo equine market

Senior Companion Animal Vet (Banfield / VCA)

$105,000–$155,000+ bonus

Banfield + VCA SD corporate veterinary · Mars Veterinary Health

Senior Federal Civilian Vet (USDA / APHIS)

$108,000–$162,000

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service + USDA-APHIS · meatpacking + animal health

Senior SDSU Animal Science Faculty

$98,000–$148,000+ bonus

SDSU Animal Science Brookings · the substantial SDSU-UMN DVM partnership faculty

Mid-Career Vet (3-7 yrs)

$88,000–$118,000

Associate DVM at SD practices · transitioning to senior band

New Vet (Step 1-3)

$75,000–$105,000

New grad DVM at SD corporate + private + UMN + ISU + CSU placement · entry band

Worth knowing: South Dakota cattle + ranching veterinary + the substantial Western SD ranch DVM is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state large-animal ranch veterinary anchor and a feature most national veterinary surveys understate for SD. The substantial SD cattle + ranching veterinary (SD #5 US beef cow inventory + ~3.7M cattle + ~14K SD ranches + the substantial Western SD ranch DVM + the substantial Black Hills + Badlands + Missouri River cattle ranching + the substantial SD ranch DVM serving substantial cow-calf + feeder + cattle operations + the substantial USDA-APHIS SD veterinary inspection + the substantial USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service SD meatpacking inspection serving Smithfield Sioux Falls pork + IBP + JBS SD beef processing) supports substantial SD large-animal DVM. Senior large animal + ranch DVMs clear $118-172K+ truck. SDSU Animal Sciences Brookings + the substantial SDSU-UMN College of Veterinary Medicine 2+2 DVM partnership ~25 DVMs annually + SDSU Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences supply SD DVM pipeline. SD has NO in-state DVM-granting institution (closest: UMN St Paul + Iowa State Ames + Colorado State Fort Collins + WSU Pullman). Banfield + VCA SD + the substantial SD independent practice + USDA-APHIS federal civilian. SD 0% state income tax + SD RTW since 1946 anchor the SD veterinary proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Veterinarians in South Dakota and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and no state income tax (South Dakota levies none). Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers