BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota

$54,990 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$26.44 per hour

▼ 18.0% below U.S. average50th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$54,990per year
Median$52,750per year
Hourly$26.44per hour
10th – 90th percentile$40,770 – $67,700per year

Licensed Practical Nurses Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,770
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$49,680
  • 50th Percentile — Median$52,750
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$61,300
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$67,700

Half of Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota earn more than $52,750. The top 10% make $67,700 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,770.

Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states for Licensed Practical Nurses pay, at $54,990 per year (18.0% below the U.S. average of $67,050).
  • 2,050 people work as Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Licensed Practical Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.08: Licensed Practical Nurses jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,770; the top 10% earn over $67,700.
  • Hourly equivalent: $26.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $83,900.
  • Among healthcare jobs in South Dakota, Radiologists pays the most ($534,640).

Licensed Practical Nurses Job Market in South Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Licensed Practical Nurses here earn $54,990 on average, placing the state 50th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $54,990 is roughly equivalent to $63,207 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($56,470), West Virginia ($56,190), Arkansas ($55,690) are the closest alternatives for Licensed Practical Nurses weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in South Dakota?

The average Licensed Practical Nurses salary in South Dakota is $54,990 per year (median $52,750), which is 18.0% below the national average of $67,050.

How does South Dakota rank for Licensed Practical Nurses pay?

South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($83,900/yr).

How much do entry-level Licensed Practical Nurses make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota earn about $40,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,680.

How much do Licensed Practical Nurses make per hour in South Dakota?

About $26.44 per hour, based on the $54,990 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Licensed Practical Nurses work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 2,050 Licensed Practical Nurses jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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