How Much Does an LPN Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for LPNs 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 LPN in South Dakota earns about $25.36 per hour ($52,750 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $4,396 a month and $1,014 a week, both figures calculated from the annual figure. These numbers describe typical pay in the state, not a fixed salary every LPN receives.
That figure sits 18% below the national typical pay of $64,400 a year. The gap puts South Dakota 50th among the 51 states and jurisdictions ranked for LPN pay. About 2,050 LPNs work across the state, a workforce large enough to make these figures a reliable picture of what the job pays locally.
LPN pay in South Dakota at a glance
- A typical LPN in South Dakota earns $25.36 an hour, or about $52,750 a year, according to May 2025 wage data.
- South Dakota LPN pay runs 18% below the national figure of $64,400, ranking 50th out of 51 states.
- Sioux Falls pays the most for LPNs in the state, with a typical $53,520 annual figure.
- Entry-level LPNs typically start around $40,770 a year, while the top 10% make over $67,700.
- South Dakota LPN pay has risen 46% over the past decade, from $36,080 in 2015 to $52,750 now.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an LPN make in South Dakota?
LPN pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $40,770$19.60 an hour | $49,740$23.91 an hour |
| First years | $49,680$23.88 an hour | $59,000$28.37 an hour |
| Typical LPN | $52,750$25.36 an hour | $64,400$30.96 an hour |
| Experienced | $61,300$29.47 an hour | $76,030$36.55 an hour |
| Top 10% | $67,700$32.55 an hour | $83,440$40.12 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
LPN pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $19.60 an hour, or about $40,770 a year, for LPNs just starting out. Pay tends to move up from there as nurses gain experience and take on more responsibility. Within a few years, many reach the state's typical pay of $25.36 an hour. New graduates should expect to start below that figure and build toward it.
Experienced LPNs in South Dakota often earn upwards of $29.47 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $32.55 an hour, or about $67,700 a year. The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $26,930 a year. Setting, years of experience, and which city an LPN works in all play a part in where someone lands within that range.
LPN pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for LPNs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota LPN pay has climbed from $36,080 in 2015 to $52,750 in 2025, a gain of $16,670 over the decade. That amounts to a 46% rise in typical pay over ten years. The increase wasn't a straight line; pay dipped slightly in 2019 and 2021 before jumping sharply in 2022.
Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade, a slightly larger increase than South Dakota saw. Pay for LPNs in the state has moved up substantially either way, and someone starting now enters a field where wages have grown steadily in recent years. That said, past gains don't guarantee future increases.
LPN salary by city in South Dakota
Pay for LPNs is fairly uniform across South Dakota's two metro areas with published figures. Sioux Falls pays the most, with a typical $53,520 a year ($25.73 an hour), about 1% above the state figure. Rapid City follows closely at $52,220 a year ($25.11 an hour). Both figures cover each city's full metro area.
Rapid City is the lower-paying of the two cities, and the gap between them comes to just $1,300 a year. Sioux Falls also has the larger LPN workforce, with 990 jobs compared to Rapid City's 340. The narrow spread suggests cost of living plays less of a role between these two cities than it might elsewhere in the country.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | LPNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $53,520 | $25.73 | +1% | 990 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $52,220 | $25.11 | -1% | 340 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $52,750
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
South Dakota's neighbors generally pay more for LPN work. Minnesota leads at $63,750 a year, 21% higher than South Dakota, and Wyoming follows at $63,460, 20% higher. Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and Montana all pay between $62,210 and $62,660, roughly 18% to 19% above South Dakota's figure. LPN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which makes crossing the border for higher pay a realistic option for some nurses.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $52,750 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $63,750 | +21% |
| Wyoming | $63,460 | +20% |
| Nebraska | $62,660 | +19% |
| Iowa | $62,630 | +19% |
| North Dakota | $62,300 | +18% |
| Montana | $62,210 | +18% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical LPN pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for LPNs?
LPNs in South Dakota earn less than in most states: typical pay is $52,750 a year, 18% below the national figure, ranking 50th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 4.5 are LPN positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 4.2. LPN jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, South Dakota ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 46% over the past decade.
Summary
LPNs in South Dakota typically earn $52,750 a year, or $25.36 an hour, trailing the national figure but reflecting a 46% rise since 2015. Pay is fairly consistent across the state's two largest cities, with Sioux Falls slightly ahead. Readers weighing a move into the field should check South Dakota's board of nursing for licensing requirements and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an LPN make in South Dakota?
- A typical LPN in South Dakota earns **$25.36 an hour**, or about $52,750 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. That's below the national figure of $64,400 a year, reflecting South Dakota's lower cost of living compared with many other states.
- How much does an LPN make an hour in South Dakota?
- LPNs in South Dakota typically make **$25.36 an hour**. Entry-level pay starts closer to $19.60 an hour, while experienced LPNs and the top 10% of earners make over $32.55 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an LPN in South Dakota?
- Entry-level LPNs in South Dakota typically start around **$19.60 an hour**, or about $40,770 a year. Pay rises with experience, and many LPNs reach the state's typical pay of $25.36 an hour within a few years on the job.
- Which city in South Dakota pays LPNs the most?
- Sioux Falls pays LPNs the most in South Dakota, with a typical **$53,520** a year, about 1% above the state figure. Rapid City follows closely at $52,220 a year, meaning pay is fairly consistent between the state's two largest cities.
- Is LPN pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. LPN pay in South Dakota runs **18% below** the national figure of $64,400 a year, ranking the state 50th out of 51 states and jurisdictions. The lower pay generally lines up with South Dakota's lower cost of living.