Nursing Assistant salary in Rapid City, SD
Nursing Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $38,500 a year ($18.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,100 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $38,800. There are 17 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 25th percentile | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Median | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| 75th percentile | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,100 | $22.17 |
| Average (mean) | $40,150 | $19.30 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.77 |
| Weekly | $740.38 |
| Hourly | $18.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $39,190 | 2,930 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,940 | 930 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $53,840 | $25.89 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $38,500 a year, or $18.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $46,100 a year. The top 25% earn $43,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,290 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $38,500 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Rapid City, SD?
About 1,280 nursing assistants are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.