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

Registered Nurse Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$78,060/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$37.53/hr
▼ 20% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
14,710
public U.S. Median
$97,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$88,118 #46 of 51

Registered Nurse pay in South Dakota, explained

Registered nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $78,060 per year ($37.53 per hour), which is 20% below the national median of $97,550. Entry-level workers earn around $54,040, while the most experienced registered nurses reach about $98,220. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $78,060 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $78,060 is worth about $88,118 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #46 for real pay (vs #49 on the sticker number).

See the full Registered Nurse Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Registered Nurse pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$54,040
$25.98/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$78,060
$37.53/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$98,220
$47.22/hr

Registered Nurse pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $78,060 $88,118
Minnesota $101,510 $102,929 −$23,450
Montana $85,280 $90,105 −$7,220
Nebraska $84,730 $94,037 −$6,670
Wyoming $83,760 $90,365 −$5,700
North Dakota $80,730 $90,750 −$2,670
Iowa $78,630 $89,595 −$570

Registered Nurse in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do registered nurses make in South Dakota?

Registered nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $78,060 per year ($37.53 per hour), compared with $97,550 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay registered nurses well?

At $78,060, South Dakota pays 20% below the national median for registered nurses. An estimated 14,710 work in the state.

Registered Nurse salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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