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Nursing Salary in South Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Nursing pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $78,060/yr — 20% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotais one of the lowest-paying states (#49 of 51).

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Nursing.

Median salary
$78,060/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$65,070 – $84,280
National median
$97,550/yr
Employed in South Dakota
14,710

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in South Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
88.6
Nominal median
$78,060
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $88,104
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #49 on raw salary.

South Dakota levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do nursing professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $78,060 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $65,070 and $84,280. That's 20% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for nursing?

By raw pay, South Dakota is one of the lowest-paying states (#49 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $88,104. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #49 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are nursing professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 14,710 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +4.9% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nursing nationally — South Dakota pay is 20% below the national median. See the full Nursing career guide →

The verdict

Yes for most people — nursing pays well above the U.S. median with strong job security, but it costs you nights, weekends, and physical/emotional strain. Worth it if you want stable demand and can handle the hours; not if you need a 9-to-5 desk job.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Pay well above the U.S. median wage
  • Strong, recession-resistant demand (aging population)
  • Portable license — jobs in every city and specialty
  • Clear ladder: RN → BSN → NP with big pay jumps
  • Entry in ~2-4 years, far cheaper than med school

Cons

  • 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
  • Physically demanding and emotionally draining
  • High burnout rates, especially post-pandemic
  • Exposure to illness, trauma, and difficult patients
  • Understaffing is common and worsening in many hospitals

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who want stability and are comfortable in high-stakes settings
  • Those who prefer hands-on, human-facing work over a desk
  • Anyone wanting a fast, affordable route to a strong salary

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who need fixed weekday hours
  • Those who struggle with high-stress or high-emotion environments
  • Anyone squeamish around blood, bodily fluids, or death

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nursing is worth it — titles link to the original threads.