Registered Nurses in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of $69,510 in 2024. That sits about 26% below the national median of $94,511, one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
South Dakota's cost of living runs lower than the US average. Our index puts it at 89.7 against the national baseline of 100. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective median lands closer to $77,500 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the gap with the national figure, though a meaningful difference remains.
The spread between low and high earners is real but not extreme. The bottom tenth of Registered Nurses in the state earned around $51,980. The top tenth earned $92,570, roughly 1.8 times that amount. A similar ratio at the national level tends to run wider, so South Dakota's range is comparatively compressed. Entry-level and experienced nurses here earn wages that are closer together than in higher-paying states.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. About 14,500 Registered Nurses were employed in South Dakota as of 2024. That is a smaller total than most states, which reflects both the state's population size and the concentration of its health system in regional medical centers and rural facilities rather than large urban hospital networks.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,070 and $84,280, with a median of $78,060.
Registered Nurses in South Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 28 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $66,560. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $71,115 |
| Level II — qualified | 25 | $66,560 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in South Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC. | Registered Nurse Float Pool | 18 | $66,560 |
| Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc. | Registered Nurse Float Pool | 7 | $74,880 |
| Sanford | Registered Nurse | 3 | $71,115 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.$74,880Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-644632
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC.$68,640Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Dec 11, 2025I-200-25338-456886
- Registered Nurse at Sanford$71,115Sioux FallsWage Level IDecided Jul 15, 2025I-200-25189-160210
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.$82,118Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25310-382014
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC.$68,640Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25306-357037
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.$74,880Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25305-356083
- Registered Nurse Float Pool at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc.$74,880Rapid CityWage Level IIDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-221921
- Registered Nurse at Sanford$71,115Sioux FallsWage Level IDecided Jul 10, 2025I-200-25183-147566
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in South Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in South Dakota
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 28 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse Float Pool at a median of $66,560.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse Float Pool | Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC. | 25 | $66,560 |
| Registered Nurse | Sanford | 3 | $71,115 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in South Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 28 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $66,560.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Avant Healthcare Professionals, LLC. | 18 | $66,560 |
| Healthcare | Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc. | 10 | $74,880 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in South Dakota is $78,060.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The South Dakota median is -20.6% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $54,040 and the 90th-percentile at $98,220, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.