How Much Does an NP Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for NPs 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 NP in South Dakota earns about $61.94 per hour, or $128,840 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $10,737 a month and $2,478 a week. That places typical NP earnings solidly within reach of six figures annually for full-time work in the state.
That is about 3% below the national typical pay of $132,300 a year, and South Dakota ranks 39th out of 51 states and D.C. for NP pay. Lower pay in the state often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 1,020 NPs work in South Dakota, compared with 323,040 nationwide, reflecting a smaller overall workforce than many larger states.
NP pay in South Dakota at a glance
- A typical NP in South Dakota earns $128,840 a year ($61.94 an hour), per the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- South Dakota pay runs 3% below the national figure of $132,300, ranking 39th out of 51 states and D.C.
- Sioux Falls pays the most among South Dakota's tracked metro areas, at $130,390 a year.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $103,080 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $156,000.
- South Dakota NP pay has risen 37% over the past decade, from $93,760 in 2015 to $128,840 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an NP make in South Dakota?
NP pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $103,080$49.56 an hour | $101,340$48.72 an hour |
| First years | $108,190$52.01 an hour | $117,990$56.73 an hour |
| Typical NP | $128,840$61.94 an hour | $132,300$63.61 an hour |
| Experienced | $136,180$65.47 an hour | $156,700$75.34 an hour |
| Top 10% | $156,000$75.00 an hour | $174,420$83.86 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
NP pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $103,080 a year, or about $49.56 an hour. Pay in these early roles tends to sit well below the state's typical figure of $128,840. Most NPs see pay move toward that typical figure within their first several years on the job, as experience and clinical responsibility grow. Where an NP works, in a hospital, clinic, or independent practice, also shapes how quickly pay increases.
Experienced NPs in South Dakota often earn upwards of $136,180 a year, or about $65.47 an hour. The top 10% of earners make over $156,000 a year, or $75.00 an hour. That is a spread of $52,920 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual NP lands within that range.
NP pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for NPs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota's typical NP pay rose from $93,760 in 2015 to $128,840 in 2025, a gain of $35,080 over the decade. That amounts to a 37% increase in typical pay over ten years. The rise was not perfectly steady year to year, but the overall direction across the decade was upward.
Nationally, typical NP pay rose 35% over the same decade, putting South Dakota's growth slightly ahead of the national pace. For someone starting an NP career in South Dakota now, pay has moved up steadily over the past ten years, though past growth does not guarantee future increases. The current typical figure of $128,840 reflects where that decade of change has landed.
NP salary by city in South Dakota
Pay runs highest in Sioux Falls, where NPs typically earn $130,390 a year, about 1% above the statewide figure of $128,840. Rapid City follows at $124,160 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.
Rapid City is the lower-paying of South Dakota's two tracked metro areas, with a $6,230 difference between the two cities. Sioux Falls also has the largest NP workforce in the state, with about 500 NPs, compared with 190 in Rapid City. Pay differences between cities often reflect differences in local living costs alongside other factors.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | NPs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $130,390 | $62.69 | +1% | 500 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $124,160 | $59.69 | -4% | 190 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $128,840
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
Every one of South Dakota's neighboring states pays NPs somewhat more. Montana leads at $137,210 a year, about 6% above South Dakota's figure, while Minnesota, Wyoming, and Nebraska each run about 3% higher. Iowa and North Dakota sit closest, at roughly 1% above South Dakota. NP licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can widen job options for NPs near a state line.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $128,840 | baseline |
| Montana | $137,210 | +6% |
| Minnesota | $133,260 | +3% |
| Wyoming | $132,200 | +3% |
| Nebraska | $132,130 | +3% |
| Iowa | $130,160 | +1% |
| North Dakota | $130,070 | +1% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical NP pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for NPs?
NP pay in South Dakota sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $128,840 a year, 3% below the national figure, ranking 39th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 2.2 are NP positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.1. NP jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Overall, South Dakota is a middle-of-the-table state for NP pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
South Dakota NPs typically earn $128,840 a year today, up 37% over the past decade. Anyone considering the role locally can check the South Dakota Board of Nursing licensing requirements and review city-level figures for Sioux Falls and Rapid City to see how pay compares across the state before choosing where to practice.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an NP make in South Dakota?
- A typical NP in South Dakota earns about $128,840 a year, or $61.94 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 3% below the national typical pay of $132,300, though it varies by city and experience level within the state.
- How much does an NP make an hour in South Dakota?
- NPs in South Dakota typically earn $61.94 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level pay starts around $49.56 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $75.00 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an NP in South Dakota?
- Entry-level NP positions in South Dakota typically offer around $103,080 a year, or about $49.56 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay generally rises toward the state's typical figure of $128,840 a year as an NP gains experience and clinical responsibility.
- Which city in South Dakota pays NPs the most?
- Sioux Falls pays NPs the most in South Dakota, at $130,390 a year, about 1% above the statewide figure. Rapid City follows at $124,160 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and Sioux Falls also has the largest NP workforce in the state.
- Is NP pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. NPs in South Dakota typically earn $128,840 a year, about 3% below the national typical pay of $132,300, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). South Dakota ranks 39th out of 51 states and D.C. for NP pay, and lower pay often tracks a lower cost of living.