Nursing Assistant salary in South Dakota
Nursing Assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $38,800 a year ($18.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,100 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $42,260. South Dakota ranks 34th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 15 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| 25th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Median | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| 75th percentile | $43,940 | $21.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,100 | $22.17 |
| Average (mean) | $39,510 | $19.00 |
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 | $3,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,616.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,492.31 |
| Weekly | $746.15 |
| Hourly | $18.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $39,190 | 2,930 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,940 | 930 |
| Rapid City, SD | $38,500 | 1,280 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,330 | $15.06 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for nursing assistants in South Dakota is $38,800 a year, or $18.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in South Dakota earn at least $46,100 a year. The top 25% earn $43,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,110 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $36,830 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in South Dakota?
About 6,860 nursing assistants are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.