Nurse Practitioner Salary in South Dakota: $132,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $132,304/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $142,569 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($130,390), Rapid City ($124,160), Watertown ($118,053).
In 2026, nurse practitioners in South Dakota can expect an average median salary of $132,304, which is approximately 3.3% lower than the national median of $136,864. The highest-paying city in the state is Sioux Falls, where the average salary is $134,888, while the lowest is Huron at $117,130, highlighting a salary gap of $17,758. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local healthcare demand, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas versus rural locations. South Dakota has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that allow nurse practitioners a significant degree of autonomy, which may influence both job satisfaction and compensation levels. The demand for healthcare services, especially in rural communities, is a considerable driver for job opportunities in this field. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.45% for nurse practitioners in the state, employment prospects remain strong. Key cities projected for growth include Rapid City at $128,444, Watertown at $122,126, Yankton at $122,088, and Spearfish at $121,781, indicating a steady demand for nurse practitioners throughout South Dakota.
South Dakota Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $92,517 (lowest entry-level) to $164,827 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota nurse practitioners earn 3.33% less than the national median ($-4,560/year difference).
South Dakota Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in South Dakota range from $103,787 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $162,184 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $132,304. The South Dakota median is $4,560 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $63.61/hr. Approximately 735 nurse practitioners are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$101,513
2025 BLS Actual
$127,892
2026 Current Est.
$132,304
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,268 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,605 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,869 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 26.0% from $101,513 (2019) to $127,892 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,869 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,356 (34.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $117,130 |
| Vermillion | $117,311 |
| Brookings | $117,340 |
| Pierre | $119,328 |
| Aberdeen | $120,701 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $134,888 | 90.631 | $148,832 |
| Rapid City | $128,444 | 89.16 | $144,060 |
| Watertown | $122,126 | 92.8 | $131,601 |
| Yankton | $122,088 | 92.8 | $131,560 |
| Spearfish | $121,781 | 92.8 | $131,230 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,787 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $132,304 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $162,184 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $134,888 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $128,444 |
| 3 | Watertown | $122,126 |
| 4 | Yankton | $122,088 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $121,781 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $120,903 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $120,701 |
| 8 | Pierre | $119,328 |
| 9 | Brookings | $117,340 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $117,311 |
| 11 | Huron | $117,130 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in South Dakota?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov