Registered Nurse Salary in South Dakota
Average salary
$76,166
Hourly average
$36.62/hr
Low
$41,080
High
$100,880
Vs national
-11.5%
Salary distribution
Mean, median, and range in South Dakota
Purchasing power
Salary vs cost of living
Because local costs are lower, this salary can feel closer to this amount in an average-cost city.
RN Salary by Experience Level
Entry Level
0-2 years
$62,456
$35,329 – $68,549
Mid Level
3-5 years
$76,166
$68,549 – $83,783
Experienced
6-10 years
$86,068
$77,689 – $96,845
Senior
10+ years
$96,731
$85,306 – $108,950
City comparisons
Compare salary levels across South Dakota
| City | Average | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | $86,070 | $41.38/hr |
| Pierre | $86,070 | $41.38/hr |
| Sioux Falls | $86,070 | $41.38/hr |
What Affects RN Pay in South Dakota?
Shift Differentials
- Day ShiftBase pay
- Evening Shift+$2-4/hr
- Night Shift+$4-8/hr
- Weekend+$3-6/hr
Location Factors
- Rural areas may offer higher pay due to staffing shortages.
- Hospital systems typically pay more than private clinics.
- Travel RN positions offer premium rates.
- Cost-of-living adjustments can improve purchasing power.
RN Benefits & Top Employers in South Dakota
Common Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision benefits vary by employer
- Shift differential opportunities may be available
- Continuing education or certification support may be available
- Sign-on and relocation incentives vary by facility
Top Paying Employers
Monument Health
Varies by role and shift sign-on
$80,730
Avera Health
Varies by role and shift sign-on
$76,385
Sanford Health
Varies by role and shift sign-on
$65,693
Market summary
Registered nurse salary data for South Dakota is based on 107 active JibJob postings with visible pay. The page compares annualized RN compensation, hourly equivalents, and current employer inventory so nurses can evaluate local opportunity and pay together.
Because healthcare employers do not always publish compensation, this guide should be read as a live-market estimate rather than a complete wage survey. Review each job posting for shift, schedule, unit, benefits, and bonus details before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the RN salary estimate for South Dakota calculated?
- This guide uses active JibJob registered nurse postings with visible pay in South Dakota, normalized to annual compensation for comparison.
- Do all RN jobs in South Dakota publish pay?
- No. The guide only uses postings with visible compensation, so live job counts may be higher than the salary sample size.
- Should nurses compare hourly and annual pay?
- Yes. Hourly ranges are annualized for comparison, but shift differentials, overtime, weekends, and bonuses can change actual earnings.