How Much Does a CNA Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in South Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in South Dakota earns about $18.65 per hour ($38,800 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs 8% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour, and South Dakota ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay.
Around 6,860 CNAs work across the state, a modest but steady share of the more than 1.4 million nationwide.
How much does a CNA make in South Dakota?
CNA pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,110$14.96 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,830$17.71 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $38,800$18.65 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $43,940$21.12 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,100$22.17 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in South Dakota has climbed steadily over the past decade, from $23,320 in 2015 to $38,800 in 2025, a 66% rise. That pace edged slightly ahead of the national increase of 64% over the same stretch.
For someone starting out now, the record shows pay has moved consistently upward each year rather than in sudden jumps, though nothing about that trend guarantees future increases.
CNA salary by city in South Dakota
Pay for CNAs in South Dakota stays fairly uniform across the state. Sioux Falls posts the higher figure at $39,190 a year ($18.84 an hour), covering its full metro area, while Rapid City comes in close behind at $38,500 a year ($18.51 an hour).
The gap between the two is small, just $690 a year, so location within South Dakota matters less than it does in states with sharper cost-of-living differences between cities.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $39,190 | $18.84 | +1% | 2,930 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $38,500 | $18.51 | -1% | 1,280 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $38,800
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
South Dakota's neighbors mostly pay more. Minnesota's CNAs earn $46,680 a year, 20% higher than South Dakota, and North Dakota follows close behind at $45,820, 18% higher. Iowa and Wyoming sit nearly even with South Dakota, each about 1% above. A CNA licensed in South Dakota can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so it's worth knowing how pay compares across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $38,800 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $46,680 | +20% |
| North Dakota | $45,820 | +18% |
| Montana | $40,900 | +5% |
| Nebraska | $40,000 | +3% |
| Iowa | $39,350 | +1% |
| Wyoming | $39,160 | +1% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in South Dakota sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $38,800 a year, 8% below the national figure, ranking 34th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 15 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of South Dakota's workforce than in most states.
Summary
CNAs in South Dakota now earn about $18.65 an hour, or $38,800 a year, up 66% over the past decade. For anyone considering the role, the next step is checking the South Dakota registry page for certification requirements, then reviewing the city pages for Sioux Falls and Rapid City to compare local figures before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in South Dakota?
- A CNA in South Dakota earns about $18.65 an hour, or $38,800 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's roughly 8% below the national figure of $42,260 a year, though pay varies somewhat by city and employer.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in South Dakota?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in South Dakota is $18.65, per May 2025 wage data. Entry-level positions typically start around $14.96 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $22.17 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in South Dakota?
- Entry-level CNAs in South Dakota typically start around $14.96 an hour, or about $31,110 a year. As experience builds, pay moves toward the typical rate of $18.65 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $22.17 an hour.
- Which city in South Dakota pays CNAs the most?
- Sioux Falls pays the most, at $39,190 a year, or $18.84 an hour. Rapid City is close behind at $38,500 a year. The difference between the two is small, so pay stays fairly uniform across South Dakota's metro areas.
- Is CNA pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. South Dakota CNAs earn about $38,800 a year, roughly 8% below the national figure of $42,260, according to May 2025 wage data. Lower pay in South Dakota generally tracks its lower cost of living compared with much of the country.