Registered Nurse salary in Rapid City, SD
Registered Nurses in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $79,380 a year ($38.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,740 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $78,060. There are 34 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| 25th percentile | $69,090 | $33.22 |
| Median | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| 75th percentile | $98,220 | $47.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Average (mean) | $84,070 | $40.42 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,307.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,053.08 |
| Weekly | $1,526.54 |
| Hourly | $38.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $75,840 | 1,600 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $75,350 | 7,680 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $230,530 | $110.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $211,990 | $101.92 |
| Veterinarian | $90,410 | $43.47 |
| Chiropractor | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $79,380 a year, or $38.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $98,740 a year. The top 25% earn $98,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,790 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $69,090 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Rapid City, SD?
About 2,480 registered nurses are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.