Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in South Dakota
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in South Dakota earn a median of $52,750 a year ($25.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,700 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $64,400. South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 4.5 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,770 | $19.60 |
| 25th percentile | $49,680 | $23.88 |
| Median | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 75th percentile | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,700 | $32.55 |
| Average (mean) | $54,990 | $26.44 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,395.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,197.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,028.85 |
| Weekly | $1,014.42 |
| Hourly | $25.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,440 | 260 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,520 | 990 |
| Rapid City, SD | $52,220 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,820 | $38.85 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Paramedic | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $67,290 | $32.35 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in South Dakota?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Dakota is $52,750 a year, or $25.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Dakota earn at least $67,700 a year. The top 25% earn $61,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,770 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $49,680 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in South Dakota?
About 2,050 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.