Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $41,160 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,160 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,415 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($56,571) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a new graduate entering the licensed practical nurse profession in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, can expect a starting salary in the range of $41,160 to $52,512 as they embark on their careers. While this is below the city's median annual salary of $56,571, the entry-level pay offers a pathway for growth, with earnings likely increasing as they gain experience and responsibilities. As new nurses advance their skills, they may see their salaries rise significantly over their first few years, making Sioux Falls a viable market for starting their nursing careers. The area's modest cost of living index, which is reported at 90.631, can also make it more feasible for recent graduates to manage their expenses while establishing themselves in the healthcare field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $41,160 and $52,512 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,302 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $56,571 — 16.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in South Dakota of $11,000 represents just 26.72% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($41,160/year) in Sioux Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $41,160 to $52,512, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Sioux Falls is $27,302 ( 66.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,160, experienced hygienists can earn up to $68,462.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,650
2025 BLS Actual
$38,940
2026 Current Est.
$41,160
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,160 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,506 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew 23.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,650 in 2019 to $38,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $43,506. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Sioux Falls
Several employers are actively seeking newly minted LPN grads in Sioux Falls, with skilled nursing facilities being the primary employers due to their need for a well-trained workforce. Home health agencies are also attractive options, especially for those looking for flexible scheduling arrangements. Additionally, physician offices may look for candidates who possess specific clinic experience. To maximize starting pay in South Dakota, having an active LPN/LVN license from the state board of nursing, completing a practical nursing diploma, and passing the NCLEX-PN are crucial. While optional certifications like IV therapy or wound care can enhance job prospects, navigating the opportunities early in one’s career often involves gaining real-world experience in long-term care settings. Many LPNs aim for an LPN-to-RN bridge program within the first few years, allowing for a more extensive scope of practice and higher salary potential in an evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov