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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$38,800/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$18.65/hr
▼ 8% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
6,860
public U.S. Median
$42,260
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$43,799 #20 of 51

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in South Dakota, explained

Certified nursing assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $38,800 per year ($18.65 per hour), which is 8% below the national median of $42,260. Entry-level workers earn around $31,110, while the most experienced certified nursing assistants reach about $46,100. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $38,800 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $38,800 is worth about $43,799 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #20 for real pay (vs #34 on the sticker number).

See the full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$31,110
$14.96/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$38,800
$18.65/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$46,100
$22.16/hr

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $38,800 $43,799 —
Minnesota $46,680 $47,333 −$7,880
North Dakota $45,820 $51,507 −$7,020
Montana $40,900 $43,214 −$2,100
Nebraska $40,000 $44,394 −$1,200
Iowa $39,350 $44,837 −$550
Wyoming $39,160 $42,248 −$360

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do certified nursing assistants make in South Dakota?

Certified nursing assistants in South Dakota earn a median of $38,800 per year ($18.65 per hour), compared with $42,260 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay certified nursing assistants well?

At $38,800, South Dakota pays 8% below the national median for certified nursing assistants. An estimated 6,860 work in the state.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in other states

Oregon · $49,830 Washington · $49,180 New York · $48,590 New Hampshire · $47,870 District of Columbia · $47,700 California · $47,630 Colorado · $47,380 Vermont · $47,130 Maine · $47,070 New Jersey · $46,830 Massachusetts · $46,680 Minnesota · $46,680

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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