Registered Nurse salary in South Dakota
Registered Nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $33.42 per hour, about $69,510 a year, 26% below the U.S. median of $45.00. The middle half earn between $30.05 and $38.70 per hour. The highest median among South Dakota metro areas is in Rapid City, SD, at $33.42 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $33.42median pay per hour
- $69,510median pay per year
- 14,500registered nurses employed in South Dakota
- #50of 50 states by median pay
Registered Nurse pay in South Dakota: percentiles
| Level | South Dakota per hour | South Dakota per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $24.99 | $51,980 | $31.75 |
| Lower quartile | $30.05 | $62,500 | $37.79 |
| Median | $33.42 | $69,510 | $45.00 |
| Upper quartile | $38.70 | $80,500 | $51.90 |
| Top 10% | $44.50 | $92,560 | $65.06 |
Registered Nurse pay by metro area in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs South Dakota median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $33.42 | $69,510 | 2,600 | in line with | $37.48 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $33.12 | $68,890 | 7,480 | 1% below | $36.54 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Registered Nurse pay in states next to South Dakota
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $37.00 | $76,960 | 11% above South Dakota |
| Minnesota | $48.50 | $100,870 | 45% above South Dakota |
| Montana | $39.21 | $81,560 | 17% above South Dakota |
| North Dakota | $37.62 | $78,260 | 13% above South Dakota |
| Nebraska | $38.95 | $81,020 | 17% above South Dakota |
| Wyoming | $39.32 | $81,790 | 18% above South Dakota |
What employers are posting in South Dakota
- 222roles with published pay
- $39.38median pay per hour
- $30–$48typical published range
- 5employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Avera Health | 134 | $40.50 |
| Monument Health | 82 | $39.38 |
| Veterans Health Administration | 3 | $49.58 |
| Indian Health Service | 2 | $54.32 |
| Acadia Healthcare | 1 | $40 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 222 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Registered Nurse jobs in South Dakota · Registered Nurse salary nationwide · South Dakota state guide · South Dakota licensing guide
Common questions
How much does a registered nurse make in South Dakota?
The median is $33.42 per hour, about $69,510 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $24.99 and the top 10% earn over $44.50 (BLS, May 2024).
Which South Dakota city pays registered nurses the most?
Among South Dakota metro areas, Rapid City, SD has the highest median at $33.42 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does South Dakota rank for registered nurse pay?
South Dakota ranks 50th of 50 states by median registered nurse pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay registered nurses? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
310+ Registered Nurse roles in South Dakota, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your RN pay reportSouth Dakota · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Indian Health ServiceLower Brule, SD · 2 postings$54.32/ hr$47–$61
- Veterans Health AdministrationFort Meade, SD · 3 postings$49.58/ hr$32–$65
- Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.Rapid City, SD · 4 wage offers$40.98/ hr$36–$50
- Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 134 postings$40.50/ hr$28–$60
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
222 RN postings with published pay in South Dakota, 151 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 222 RN roles
- RN | Emergency DepartmentPermanent$35.00–$43.75/ hour
- RN | 10th St Urgent CarePermanent$32.00–$40.00/ hour
+ 220 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.