Salary Report for South Dakota LPNs

  • The number of LPNs currently employed in South Dakota is 2,040.
  • LPNs in South Dakota earn an average of $41,830 per year or $20.11 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. LPNs who work in South Dakota is less than 1%.
  • South Dakota will need 2,190 new LPNs by 2030 or 180 new nurses per year.

South Dakota Rankings

  • South Dakota ranks #49 in the U.S. for LPNs salary and #43 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • South Dakota ranks #42 in the U.S. for the total number of LPNs employed.
  • South Dakota ranks #43 in U.S. for the number of new LPNs needed by 2030.
  • South Dakota ranks #41 in U.S. for the percentage of new LPNs needed by 2030.

Compare South Dakota to U.S.

South Dakota LPNs earn an average of $41,830 which is 19% less than the national average salary of $51,850.

TypeSouth DakotaU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$20.11$24.93-19.33%
Average Annual Salary$41,830$51,850-19.32%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In South Dakota, 50% of LPNs earn between $36,930 and $47,000 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of LPNs earn more than $47,860, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced LPNs.

Approximately 10% of LPNs earn under $36,310, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level LPNs.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year204Under $36,310
15%2 – 4 years306$36,310 – $36,930
25%5 – 9 years510$36,930 – $38,480
25%10 – 14 years510$38,480 – $47,000
15%15 – 20 years306$38,480 – $47,860
10%20+ years204Above $47,860
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, LPNs in South Dakota nurses earn about $45,706 per year which is less than the average U.S. nurse of $51,850.

Cost-of-living in South Dakota is 8% less than the national average, which means South Dakota residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

  • National average salary for LPNs is $51,850.
  • Average South Dakota LPNs salary is $41,830.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, South Dakota LPNs earn an average salary of $45,706.

More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $41,830, South Dakota LPNs tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($197,710), Nurse Practitioners ($112,320), Nursing Instructors ($71,350), and Registered Nurses ($60,540).

However, LPNs tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($29,660).

TitleAnnual Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$197,710
Nurse Practitioners$112,320
Nursing Instructors $71,350
Registered Nurses$60,540
LPNs$41,830
Nursing Assistants$29,660
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Projected Demand for Nurses in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in South Dakota the three professions needing the most new nurses by 2030 are Registered Nurses (15,050), Nursing Assistants (6,730) and LPNs (2,190).

The three professions in South Dakota needing highest percentage new nurses by 2030 are Nurse Practitioners (56.7%), Nursing Instructors (25.9%) and Nurse Anesthetists (18.4%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Registered Nurses13,44015,05012%900
Nursing Assistants6,2206,7308.2%830
LPNs2,0502,1906.8%180
Nurse Practitioners60094056.7%70
Nurse Anesthetists38045018.4%30
Nursing Instructors 27034025.9%40
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by South Dakota Cities

The average salary for LPNs in South Dakota is $41,830. The top cities that pay LPNs the most are Rapid City ($42,790), Sioux Falls ($42,270) and West South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area ($41,630).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay LPNs the highest average annual salary are West South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area ($46,493), Rapid City ($46,150) and East South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area ($45,309).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for LPNs in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.

The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a LPNs salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
Rapid City$42,790$46,150$3,360
Sioux Falls$42,270$44,925$2,655
West South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area$41,630$46,493$4,863
East South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area$40,570$45,309$4,739
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for South Dakota LPNs

South Dakota LPNs earn between $36,310 and $47,860 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 2,040 LPNs employed in South Dakota which is about 0% of the U.S. total.

Nurse Anesthetists are the highest paid nurses in South Dakota with an average annual wage of $197,710.

An entry level nurse makes as much as $36,310 a year in South Dakota

The most LPNs work in the Sioux Falls area where 860 LPNs are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, LPNs in South Dakota earn 45,706 per year, while the average across the United States earns $51,850.

By 2030, South Dakota will need 2,190 LPNs. A total of 180 LPNs will need to enter into the South Dakota work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

East South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area

Average LPNs Salary: $40,570
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $45,309
Hourly Wage: $19.51
Currently Employed: 540
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.54
East South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Rapid City

Average LPNs Salary: $42,790
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $46,150
Hourly Wage: $21
Currently Employed: 350
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.72
Rapid City Salary Report

Sioux Falls

Average LPNs Salary: $42,270
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $44,925
Hourly Wage: $20.32
Currently Employed: 860
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.09
Sioux Falls Salary Report

West South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area

Average LPNs Salary: $41,630
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $46,493
Hourly Wage: $20
Currently Employed: 260
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.54
West South Dakota Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Official Data Sources for LPNs: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data