RN Salary in South Dakota: $78,060 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $78,060 per year — $37.53 an hour — $19,490 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #49 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of South Dakota RNs earn between $54,040 and $98,220. 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 RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of South Dakota RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare South Dakota With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put South Dakota side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | South Dakota | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $78,060 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $37.53/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $54,040 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $84,280 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $98,220 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 14,710 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
South Dakota has 19 board-approved nursing programs across 14 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in South Dakota?
RNs in South Dakota earn a median of $78,060 per year — $37.53 per hour — $19,490 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks South Dakota #49 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in South Dakota?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in South Dakota, the 10th percentile is $54,040 and the 25th percentile is $65,070. Most RNs move toward the $78,060 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in South Dakota earn?
The top 10% of RNs in South Dakota earn above $98,220 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in South Dakota?
14,710 registered nurses are employed in South Dakota per the BLS May 2025 estimates.