How Much Does a Home Health Aide Make in South Dakota in 2026?

A typical Home Health Aide in South Dakota earns about $18.15 per hour ($37,740 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down across the calendar year, that annual sum translates to roughly $3,145 per month. On a weekly basis, typical pay comes out to about $726, noted as calculated from the annual figure. These baseline earnings reflect full-time schedules across healthcare settings.

Statewide earnings sit 5% above the national figure of $35,800, where typical hourly pay is $17.21. That places South Dakota at rank 18 among the 51 states and territories evaluated. The state supports a total workforce of 4,210 care aides delivering in-home support. This employment total shows a dedicated local care infrastructure operating throughout communities.

Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $15.62 per hour, which equals roughly $32,500 annually for workers starting out. Those with early experience often earn around $17.50 hourly or $36,400 per year. Pay moves toward the typical figure of $37,740 within a few years on the job. Direct care competency builds quickly as aides master daily personal care tasks.

Experienced Home Health Aides often earn upwards of $20.96 per hour or $43,600 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $22.75 per hour, surpassing $47,320 each year. Across these career stages, the spread between entry and advanced earnings equals $14,820. Factors that separate these wage groups include clinical care settings, specialized client certifications, and geographic city location.

South Dakota recorded notable wage progression from the 2019 baseline of $25,980 up to $37,740 in 2025. That shift generated an overall dollar gain of $11,760 across those recorded years. Typical earnings advanced steadily through 2020 at $27,210, 2021 at $28,950, 2022 at $30,750, 2023 at $34,690, and 2024 at $36,780. Compensation expanded during every single recorded period.

Nationally, earnings for this field experienced a 42% rise over the full decade. South Dakota followed a similar positive path by adding substantial value to caregiver paychecks. For someone starting now, pay has moved up over recent years, though past trends do not promise future adjustments. State agencies continue reviewing care reimbursement structures.

Pay runs highest in Sioux Falls, where typical compensation reaches $38,060 per year ($18.30 hourly), sitting 1% above the statewide figure. Reported municipal numbers represent each city's full metropolitan area rather than strict municipal borders. Because the state data lists only 2 cities, compensation remains fairly uniform across South Dakota. Both major population hubs reflect relatively close compensation benchmarks.

Rapid City represents the lowest-paying metropolitan area with annual earnings of $36,760 and an hourly rate of $17.67. Between these two urban markets, the city spread equals $1,300. Sioux Falls also employs the largest workforce in the state with 1,660 active aides, compared to 570 in Rapid City. Modest compensation differences between regions generally align with localized variations in living expenses.

Regional wages present varied comparisons across state borders. To the north, North Dakota offers higher typical pay at $39,440 per year, running 5% above South Dakota, while Minnesota stands at $38,370. Conversely, Montana posts lower earnings at $36,630, Nebraska reports $36,150, Iowa sits at $36,080, and Wyoming records $33,190, which is 12% below South Dakota. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

South Dakota Home Health Aides earn typical compensation of $37,740 annually, reflecting long-term wage expansion from $25,980 following an $11,760 gain since 2019. Caregivers preparing for local employment should visit the state licensing registry to examine specific training requirements. Exploring dedicated city pages will provide detailed figures for individual metropolitan healthcare markets.