Nurse Practitioner Salary in Rapid City, SD: $128,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Rapid City, SD earns a median $128,444/year (≈ $61.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $144,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is projected to reach a median of $128,444, indicating a competitive compensation level in the local healthcare market. The salary range spans from $94,802 at the 10th percentile to $158,568 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities that these practitioners undertake. This data, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlights the importance of understanding the state’s unique full-practice authority status. Nurse practitioners in South Dakota operate without the need for collaborative agreements with physicians, enabling them to maximize their earning potential and better serve the community in a range of healthcare settings in Rapid City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,802 | $45.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,409 | $52.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,444 | $61.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,002 | $64.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,568 | $76.23 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,766 (2026 est.). At $128,444, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be above the median
How Rapid City Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $128,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $127,046 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -6.15% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $128,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.10% above the South Dakota state average of $127,046.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $128,444 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,840
2025 BLS Actual
$124,160
2026 Current Est.
$128,444
2019–2027 Growth
+33.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 24.4% from $99,840 (2019) to $124,160 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,035 (33.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,802 – $109,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,409 – $128,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,444 – $135,002 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,002 – $158,568 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Rapid City
A robust job market currently employs 190 nurse practitioners in the Rapid City area, a fact supported by the favorable cost-of-living index at 89.16, allowing for greater purchasing power among healthcare professionals. The highest salaries can often be found with specialized employers such as hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care chains, and telehealth platforms, particularly those focused on mental health services, where demand is surging. The disparity in pay often comes from specialization and additional income opportunities through productivity bonuses or side consultations. Those looking to maximize nurse practitioner pay in Rapid City SD may want to consider positions that allow for independent practice, pursue specialty certifications like PMHNP, or seek flexible, supplementary roles in telehealth to enhance their income potential.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $124,160 for nurse practitionersin the Rapid City metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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