South Dakota Median
$52,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $64,400
State Rank
#50 of 51
2,050 employed here
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in South Dakota?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $52,750 per year, or about $25.36 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $64,400 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $40,770 while the top 10% make $67,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,680 and $61,300 a year.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,770 | $19.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,680 | $23.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,750 | $25.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,300 | $29.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,700 | $32.55 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in other states
Washington $83,150Alaska $80,800Oregon $80,470Massachusetts $80,220Rhode Island $80,090California $79,750New Hampshire $77,110Arizona $77,070Nevada $76,160District of Columbia $75,740New Jersey $75,160Illinois $75,000Maryland $74,660Colorado $73,880Connecticut $73,690Maine $73,200Hawaii $71,140Vermont $69,930Delaware $68,710New York $67,180Indiana $65,720Michigan $65,460Virginia $64,920Pennsylvania $63,940Idaho $63,800Wisconsin $63,760Minnesota $63,750Wyoming $63,460North Carolina $63,270Utah $63,230Nebraska $62,660Iowa $62,630North Dakota $62,300Texas $62,240Montana $62,210Georgia $62,030Ohio $61,950South Carolina $61,820Florida $61,770Kansas $61,760Missouri $61,530Kentucky $60,460New Mexico $59,330Tennessee $58,870Oklahoma $58,320Louisiana $57,470Alabama $57,030Arkansas $56,620West Virginia $55,360Mississippi $50,220
Working as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in South Dakota
Nationally, about 648,000 people work as Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($52,750) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in South Dakota?
The median Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in South Dakota is $52,750 per year, or about $25.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,770 at the entry level to $67,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses about 18% less than the national median of $64,400. South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,750 a year. About 2,050 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary report
Related salaries
$74,310
median pay · 63,000 employed
$72,300
median pay · 51,000 employed
$61,960
median pay · 15,000 employed
$47,380
median pay · 129,000 employed
$51,140
median pay · 195,000 employed
$45,570
median pay · 71,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.