Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs in South Dakota concentrate in financial services, healthcare analytics, and agriculture technology, with demand anchored at the senior and principal levels across both enterprise and research-oriented teams. The most active hiring metros are Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Brookings, where employers such as Sanford Health, Wells Fargo, and South Dakota State University maintain ongoing data science practices. Machine learning engineering, predictive modeling for clinical and financial applications, and geospatial analytics for ag-tech are the most in-demand specialties in the state right now. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Senior Staff Data Scientist jobs
INTRODUCTION
Sanford Health’s Laboratory team has a culture and reputation of providing safe and highly reliable results that bring patients to better health every day. Join the Laboratory family and become part of a diverse group of people using the latest technology to improve the human condition at every stage of life through exceptional care, spiritual enrichment, innovation and discovery.
FACILITY: Canton Inwood Med Ctr
LOCATION: Canton, SD
ADDRESS: 440 N Hiawatha Dr, Canton, SD 57013, USA
SHIFT: 8 Hours - Varied Shifts
JOB SCHEDULE: Full time
WEEKLY HOURS: 32.00
SALARY RANGE: $23.50 - $44.00
PAY INFO: Sign-on bonus available for eligible applicants!
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
Schedule: 32 hours/week, will typically work 8-hour varied shifts, with weekends, call, and holidays.
JOB SUMMARY
Are you detailed oriented, looking to develop your clinical laboratory skills, and love pursuing new knowledge? We’re seeking problem-solvers interested in a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Laboratory Technician position to join our team. Our MLS/MLT professionals ensure timely testing and quality results from provided samples and delivery to nursing staff and providers, allowing them to make informed decisions for their patients. Whether a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Technician in a hospital or clinic setting, there are many opportunities to grow, advance, and make a substantial impact in the lives of our community.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing
- Follows standard operating procedures for MLS/MLTs
- Ensures laboratory safety, quality and regulatory requirements are met
- Recognizes safety hazards and complies with all safety practices and protocols
- Collects and processes lab specimens with proper equipment
- Performs clinical laboratory testing, including manual and automated methods
- Collect and manage samples of blood and other fluids from patients
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in laboratory or biological sciences required.
Possess a national certification for Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) through an approved Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, for example American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or be registry eligible. Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) also acceptable. Registry eligible candidates must successfully complete the Board of Registry examination within 12 months of employment. If working in North Dakota (ND), must be licensed by the ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice. Maintain continuing education credits equivalent to the state requirements as needed for license and certifications. May be required to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
BENEFITS
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
REQ NUMBER: R-0266162
JOB FUNCTION: Allied Health
FEATURED: No
INTRODUCTION
Sanford Health’s Laboratory team has a culture and reputation of providing safe and highly reliable results that bring patients to better health every day. Join the Laboratory family and become part of a diverse group of people using the latest technology to improve the human condition at every stage of life through exceptional care, spiritual enrichment, innovation and discovery.
FACILITY: Canton Inwood Med Ctr
LOCATION: Canton, SD
ADDRESS: 440 N Hiawatha Dr, Canton, SD 57013, USA
SHIFT: 8 Hours - Varied Shifts
JOB SCHEDULE: Full time
WEEKLY HOURS: 32.00
SALARY RANGE: $23.50 - $44.00
PAY INFO: Sign-on bonus available for eligible applicants!
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
Schedule: 32 hours/week, will typically work 8-hour varied shifts, with weekends, call, and holidays.
JOB SUMMARY
Are you detailed oriented, looking to develop your clinical laboratory skills, and love pursuing new knowledge? We’re seeking problem-solvers interested in a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Laboratory Technician position to join our team. Our MLS/MLT professionals ensure timely testing and quality results from provided samples and delivery to nursing staff and providers, allowing them to make informed decisions for their patients. Whether a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Technician in a hospital or clinic setting, there are many opportunities to grow, advance, and make a substantial impact in the lives of our community.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing
- Follows standard operating procedures for MLS/MLTs
- Ensures laboratory safety, quality and regulatory requirements are met
- Recognizes safety hazards and complies with all safety practices and protocols
- Collects and processes lab specimens with proper equipment
- Performs clinical laboratory testing, including manual and automated methods
- Collect and manage samples of blood and other fluids from patients
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelors degree in laboratory or biological sciences required.
Possess a national certification for Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) through an approved Health and Human Services (HHS) agency, for example American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or be registry eligible. Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) also acceptable. Registry eligible candidates must successfully complete the Board of Registry examination within 12 months of employment. If working in North Dakota (ND), must be licensed by the ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice. Maintain continuing education credits equivalent to the state requirements as needed for license and certifications. May be required to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
BENEFITS
Sanford offers an attractive benefits package for qualifying full-time and part-time employees. Depending on eligibility, a variety of benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, work/life balance benefits, and a generous time off package to maintain a healthy home-work balance. For more information about Total Rewards, visit https://sanfordcareers.com/benefits.
Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org.
Sanford has a Drug Free Workplace Policy. An accepted offer will require a drug screen and pre-employment background screening as a condition of employment.
REQ NUMBER: R-0266162
JOB FUNCTION: Allied Health
FEATURED: No
See All 12 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
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Find JobsSenior Staff Data Scientist Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Staff Data Scientist Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sanford Health7
- Sioux Center Health2
- Avera Health1
- Monument Health1
- Sanford Bismarck1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services11
- Non-Profit & Social Services1
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior staff data scientist jobs across South Dakota.
- Advanced degree in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a closely related field
- Seven or more years of applied data science experience with demonstrated leadership responsibilities
- Proficiency in Python, R, and SQL with experience on cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure
- Proven ability to design and deploy machine learning models in production environments
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to translate business problems into analytical solutions
- Strong communication skills for presenting findings to executive and non-technical audiences
Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior staff data scientist in South Dakota?
Reaching this level in South Dakota typically requires a graduate degree in a quantitative field and several years of progressively senior data science work. South Dakota does not issue a state license specifically for data scientists, so employers rely on demonstrated technical depth and leadership experience instead. Candidates who advance fastest in the state often build expertise in industries that dominate locally, such as healthcare analytics at Sanford Health or financial modeling within Sioux Falls-based financial institutions, pairing that domain knowledge with a strong portfolio of production-deployed models.
How much do senior staff data scientists make in South Dakota?
Senior staff data scientists in South Dakota earn a median of about $96,150 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $67,510 for the lowest 10% to over $145,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior staff data scientists in South Dakota?
Companies currently hiring senior staff data scientists in South Dakota include Sanford Health, Sioux Center Health, and Avera Health, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Healthcare systems, financial services firms headquartered in Sioux Falls, and research institutions affiliated with South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota are among the most consistent sources of senior-level openings in the state.
Which South Dakota cities have the most senior staff data scientist jobs?
Sioux Falls, Canton, and Pierre hold the most senior staff data scientist openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls leads because it is home to the state's largest healthcare systems and a significant concentration of financial services companies, while Brookings draws openings through South Dakota State University's research enterprise and its growing technology sector, and Rapid City contributes roles tied to regional healthcare and government-adjacent data initiatives in the western part of the state.
Are there remote senior staff data scientist jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 0% of senior staff data scientist openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the desk-based and highly digital nature of the work. Modeling, research, and strategy-focused roles are the most likely to be fully remote, while positions embedded in clinical operations or that require close collaboration with on-site engineering teams tend to require at least a hybrid schedule.
How can I get hired as a senior staff data scientist in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a junior data analyst or associate data scientist role at one of South Dakota's anchor employers, such as Sanford Health or a Sioux Falls financial institution, and building toward the senior level from within. South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota both produce graduates who often enter through research assistant or data analyst positions before moving into full data science tracks. A strong portfolio of end-to-end projects and familiarity with healthcare or financial data gives candidates a meaningful edge in this market.
Where can I find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to senior staff data scientist jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to whichever positions fit.
See All 12 Senior Staff Data Scientist Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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