How Much Does an RN Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for RNs 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 RN in South Dakota earns about $37.53 per hour ($78,060 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $6,505 a month and $1,501 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, setting, and experience, but this figure represents the middle of the range statewide.
That is about 20% below the national figure of $97,550, and ranks South Dakota 49th out of 51 states and territories tracked. The state employs 14,710 registered nurses, a sizable workforce even though pay trails most other states. Lower pay here often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states elsewhere in the country.
RN pay in South Dakota at a glance
- A typical RN in South Dakota earns $37.53 an hour, or about $78,060 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- South Dakota's typical RN pay sits 20% below the national figure of $97,550, ranking 49th out of 51 states and territories.
- Rapid City pays RNs the most in the state, with a typical annual wage of $79,380.
- Entry-level RNs typically start around $54,040 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $98,220.
- RN pay in South Dakota has climbed 46% over the past decade, rising from $53,420 in 2015 to $78,060 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an RN make in South Dakota?
RN pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $54,040$25.98 an hour | $68,940$33.14 an hour |
| First years | $65,070$31.29 an hour | $80,330$38.62 an hour |
| Typical RN | $78,060$37.53 an hour | $97,550$46.90 an hour |
| Experienced | $84,280$40.52 an hour | $112,350$54.02 an hour |
| Top 10% | $98,220$47.22 an hour | $137,470$66.09 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
RN pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level RNs in South Dakota typically start around $25.98 an hour, or about $54,040 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $78,060 within the first several years on the job. New graduates in smaller towns may start closer to this lower figure than those in larger metro areas.
Experienced RNs often earn upwards of $40.52 an hour, or about $84,280 a year, once they move past entry-level roles. The top 10% of earners make over $47.22 an hour, or $98,220 a year, a spread of $44,180 between the lowest and highest-paid RNs in the state. That gap usually comes down to years of experience, the type of facility, and which city the nurse works in.
RN pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for RNs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota RN pay rose from $53,420 in 2015 to $78,060 in 2025, a gain of $24,640. That amounts to a 46% increase over the decade, according to the same wage data tracked year over year. The rise has been steady rather than a single large jump, building over multiple years.
Nationally, RN pay rose 45% over the same ten years, putting South Dakota's 46% gain almost exactly in line with the national trend. Neither state pulled far ahead of the other over the decade. For someone starting an RN career in South Dakota now, this history shows pay has moved up steadily in recent years, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.
RN salary by city in South Dakota
RN pay runs highest in Rapid City, where the typical wage is $79,380 a year ($38.17 an hour), about 2% above the statewide figure. Sioux Falls follows closely, with a typical annual wage of $75,350, or $36.23 an hour. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center itself.
Sioux Falls pays less of the two, though the gap is modest: the spread between the two cities is just $4,030 a year. Sioux Falls also employs the most RNs of any city in the state, with about 7,680 working there, so overall pay across South Dakota is fairly uniform. Living costs in Rapid City and Sioux Falls are broadly similar, so the small difference in pay is not simply a cost-of-living effect.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | RNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $79,380 | $38.17 | +2% | 2,480 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $75,350 | $36.23 | -3% | 7,680 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $78,060
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
Every neighboring state pays RNs more than South Dakota. Minnesota leads at $101,510 a year, 30% higher, followed by Montana at $85,280, Nebraska at $84,730, Wyoming at $83,760, North Dakota at $80,730, and Iowa at $78,630, each 1% to 9% higher. Nurses can often transfer or endorse a license into a neighboring state without starting licensure over.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $78,060 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $101,510 | +30% |
| Montana | $85,280 | +9% |
| Nebraska | $84,730 | +9% |
| Wyoming | $83,760 | +7% |
| North Dakota | $80,730 | +3% |
| Iowa | $78,630 | +1% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical RN pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for RNs?
RNs in South Dakota earn less than in most states: typical pay is $78,060 a year, 20% below the national figure, ranking 49th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 32 are RN positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 22. That makes the local economy more reliant on RNs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: RNs make up a larger share of South Dakota's workforce than in most states.
Summary
A typical RN in South Dakota earns $78,060 a year today, up 46% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience, but the overall trend has been upward. Readers considering RN work in South Dakota can check the state's nursing licensing board for requirements and review city-level pages for local figures in places like Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an RN make in South Dakota?
- A typical RN in South Dakota earns about $37.53 an hour, or $78,060 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay varies by city, experience, and setting, with entry-level nurses earning less and experienced nurses earning considerably more.
- How much does an RN make an hour in South Dakota?
- RNs in South Dakota typically earn about $37.53 an hour. Entry-level nurses start closer to $25.98 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $47.22 an hour, depending on experience, city, and facility type.
- What is the starting pay for an RN in South Dakota?
- Entry-level RNs in South Dakota typically start around $25.98 an hour, or about $54,040 a year. Pay tends to rise toward the statewide typical figure of $78,060 within the first several years, as nurses gain experience and move into higher-paying settings or cities.
- Which city in South Dakota pays RNs the most?
- Rapid City pays the most, with a typical annual wage of $79,380, about 2% above the statewide figure. Sioux Falls follows at $75,350 a year. The gap between the two is modest, just $4,030, so pay across South Dakota's two largest cities is fairly uniform.
- Is RN pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. RN pay in South Dakota runs about 20% below the national figure of $97,550 a year, ranking the state 49th out of 51 states and territories. Lower pay here often tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states elsewhere in the country.