South Dakota Median
$38,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $42,260
State Rank
#34 of 51
6,860 employed here
How much does a Nursing Assistant make in South Dakota?
A Nursing Assistant working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $38,800 per year, or about $18.65 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $42,260 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $31,110 while the top 10% make $46,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,830 and $43,940 a year.
Nursing Assistant salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,110 | $14.96 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,800 | $18.65 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,940 | $21.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,100 | $22.16 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for Nursing Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nursing Assistant salary in other states
Oregon $49,830Washington $49,180New York $48,590New Hampshire $47,870District of Columbia $47,700California $47,630Colorado $47,380Vermont $47,130Maine $47,070New Jersey $46,830Massachusetts $46,680Minnesota $46,680Rhode Island $46,440Alaska $46,370Illinois $45,960North Dakota $45,820Nevada $45,490Hawaii $45,350Wisconsin $45,130Connecticut $44,790Arizona $44,780Pennsylvania $44,590Maryland $43,240Virginia $43,200Delaware $42,030Montana $40,900Nebraska $40,000Utah $39,840Michigan $39,570New Mexico $39,390Iowa $39,350Wyoming $39,160Ohio $39,010Idaho $38,650North Carolina $38,460Kentucky $38,370Indiana $38,330Kansas $38,010Tennessee $37,990Georgia $37,680Missouri $37,680Florida $37,510Texas $37,500South Carolina $37,220West Virginia $36,720Oklahoma $35,930Arkansas $34,430Alabama $34,140Mississippi $31,520Louisiana $30,510
Working as a Nursing Assistant in South Dakota
Nationally, about 1,449,000 people work as Nursing Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($38,800) 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 does a Nursing Assistant make in South Dakota?
The median Nursing Assistant salary in South Dakota is $38,800 per year, or about $18.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,110 at the entry level to $46,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Nursing Assistants about 8% less than the national median of $42,260. South Dakota ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Nursing Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,800 a year. About 6,860 Nursing Assistants 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 Nursing Assistant salary report
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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.