Registered Nurses in the state of South Dakota earn an average annual salary of $60,960 per year (or $29.31 per hour) as of May 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 80% of South Dakota RNs earn between $44,550 and $79,900.
On average, RNs in South Dakota earn about 24% less than the national average salary for nurses, at $80,010 (or $38.47 per hour).
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The cost of living in a certain region can impact what nurses tend to earn working in those areas. With a Cost of Living Index of 99.8 in 2020, nurses in South Dakota can expect lower prices for food, housing, and transportation compared to other states. So, it is understandable that their earnings would also be lower than the national average.
| State | Avg. RN Salary | Avg. RN Salary (adjusted for COL) |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $60,960 | $61,082 |
| Nationwide | $80,010 | - |
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Average RN Salary In South Dakota
South Dakota RN salaries vary quite a bit across the state. The highest-paying regions for RNs are in the Rapid City metropolitan, with average RN salaries at around $61,540. Sioux Falls comes in second, with the average RN salary at $61,770. Additionally, RNs located in the Sioux City area can expect to earn about $60,160.
| Metro Area | RNs Employed | Avg. RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 2,270 | $61,540 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 1,830 | $60,160 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 6,550 | $61,770 |
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Average RN salary vs similar healthcare professions in South Dakota
At a $61,082 average annual salary, RNs in South Dakota tend to earn less than other healthcare workers in the state. Across all these professions, “Nurse Practitioners” and “Physical Therapists” in South Dakota earn an average salary ranging between $78,850-$103,080, according to the BLS.
Here is how a sample of these other types of healthcare professions compare to RN salaries in South Dakota:
| Profession | # Employed | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 13,130 | $60,960 |
| LPNs / LVNs | 2,020 | $39,510 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 1,290 | $35,830 |
| Dental Hygienists | 510 | $73,390 |
| Physical Therapist | 860 | $78,850 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 590 | $103,080 |
Job outlook for Registered Nurses in South Dakota
About 13,130 RNs reside in the state of South Dakota. These jobs are still projected to increase by about 13.1% from 2018 to 2028. This is an increase of almost 1,700 new RNs in the state in the coming years.
