Registered Nurse salary in South Dakota
Registered Nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $78,060 a year ($37.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,220 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $97,550. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 32 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,140, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,040 | $25.98 |
| 25th percentile | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Median | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| 75th percentile | $84,280 | $40.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,220 | $47.22 |
| Average (mean) | $77,140 | $37.09 |
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 | $6,505 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,252.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,002.31 |
| Weekly | $1,501.15 |
| Hourly | $37.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $79,380 | 2,480 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for registered nurses in South Dakota is $78,060 a year, or $37.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of registered nurses in South Dakota earn at least $98,220 a year. The top 25% earn $84,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,040 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $65,070 or less.
How many registered nurses work in South Dakota?
About 14,710 registered nurses are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.