Nurse Practitioner Salary in South Dakota: $128,840 Median (May 2025)
Nurse practitioners in South Dakota earn a median of $128,840 per year — $61.94 an hour — $3,460 below the national NP median of $132,300, ranking #39 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of South Dakota NPs earn between $103,080 and $156,000. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
South Dakota NP pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of South Dakota NPs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New NPs typically start near the left edge.
NP vs RN Pay in South Dakota
The median NP in South Dakota out-earns the median RN by $50,780 per year (65%). Same state, same license underneath — the difference is the graduate degree and the scope that comes with it.
Compare South Dakota With Any State
Weighing a move, telehealth, or a compact-state license? Put South Dakota side by side with any other NP market.
| May 2025 BLS | South Dakota | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $128,840 | $131,670 |
| Median hourly wage | $61.94/hr | $63.31/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $103,080 | $96,880 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $136,180 | $147,660 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $156,000 | $161,980 |
| NPs employed | 1,020 | 25,970 |
The NP path starts with an RN license
Every NP passed the NCLEX first. If you’re earlier on the ladder: compare South Dakota’s board-approved nursing programs by real first-time pass rates, and see the full earning ladder from CNA to CRNA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in South Dakota?
NPs in South Dakota earn a median of $128,840 per year — $61.94 per hour — $3,460 below the national NP median of $132,300 (BLS May 2025). That ranks South Dakota #39 of 51 states and D.C. by median NP pay.
How much more do NPs make than RNs in South Dakota?
The median NP in South Dakota earns $128,840 versus $78,060 for the median RN — a difference of $50,780 per year (65%). The step up requires a master's or doctoral NP program on top of the RN license.
What is a starting NP salary in South Dakota?
New NPs generally start near the lower percentiles: in South Dakota, the 10th percentile is $103,080 and the 25th percentile is $108,190. Most NPs move toward the $128,840 median within their first several years of practice.
How many nurse practitioners work in South Dakota?
1,020 nurse practitioners are employed in South Dakota per the BLS May 2025 estimates.