BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Registered Nurses in South Dakota

$77,140 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$37.09 per hour

▼ 23.9% 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$77,140per year
Median$78,060per year
Hourly$37.09per hour
10th – 90th percentile$54,040 – $98,220per year

Registered Nurses Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,040
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$65,070
  • 50th Percentile — Median$78,060
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$84,280
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,220

Half of Registered Nurses in South Dakota earn more than $78,060. The top 10% make $98,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $54,040.

Registered Nurses in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states for Registered Nurses pay, at $77,140 per year (23.9% below the U.S. average of $101,420).
  • 14,710 people work as Registered Nurses in South Dakota — 0.4% of all U.S. Registered Nurses jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.48: Registered Nurses jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,040; the top 10% earn over $98,220.
  • Hourly equivalent: $37.09 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $150,280.
  • Among healthcare jobs in South Dakota, Radiologists pays the most ($534,640).

Registered 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. Registered Nurses here earn $77,140 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 $77,140 is roughly equivalent to $88,667 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($82,360), Arkansas ($81,520), Iowa ($80,540) are the closest alternatives for Registered Nurses weighing a move.

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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Registered Nurses salary in South Dakota?

The average Registered Nurses salary in South Dakota is $77,140 per year (median $78,060), which is 23.9% below the national average of $101,420.

How does South Dakota rank for Registered Nurses pay?

South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($150,280/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Registered Nurses in South Dakota earn about $54,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,070.

How much do Registered Nurses make per hour in South Dakota?

About $37.09 per hour, based on the $77,140 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Registered Nurses work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 14,710 Registered Nurses jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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