Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Brookings, SD: $28.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Brookings, SD runs $28.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,360 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Brookings's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to reach $28.05 by 2026, which falls short of the national average hourly rate of $32.73. For part-time workers, such as those operating on a three-day work week, this translates into a take-home income that can support modest living conditions, particularly within the city’s cost of living index at 92.8. Per-diem licensed practical nurses, who often work in various healthcare settings including skilled nursing facilities and home health visits, could expect a range between $23.54 and $33.97 per hour. The spectrum of earnings for licensed practical nurses in Brookings extends from entry-level rates to top earners, reflecting the diversity in skill level and experience while allowing for flexible working hours suited to personal schedules.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.54 | $188.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.65 | $213.18 |
| Median (P50) | $28.05 | $224.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.11 | $256.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.97 | $271.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookings
Based on $28.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.05/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookings, SD can expect to earn approximately $58,350 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,663. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,122.11 | $4,862 | $58,350 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.27 | $2,917 | $35,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.84 | $1,945 | $23,340 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Brookings) | $28.05 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Brookings, SD earn a median of $58,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $63,160.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.05/hr = $35,010/year (purchasing power: $37,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,350/year (purchasing power: $62,877).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Brookings grew 35.6% from $19.57/hr (2019) to $26.54/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Brookings
Analyzing the potential for part-time employment, a licensed practical nurse working 24 hours a week could expect an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For those opting to work per diem or through agency contracts, the reality includes a billing range that can extend from $28 to over $60 per hour depending on the employer type, especially in settings experiencing staffing shortages. Facilities like skilled nursing homes might offer lower hourly rates, while travel LPN positions are rare compared to those for RNs. Many LPNs weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates from employers offering health insurance. Practical negotiation strategies in Brookings may involve highlighting your specific skill set and experience to secure a rate that reflects your capabilities while considering the access to benefits, which can sometimes outweigh immediate pay increases.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Brookings in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Brookings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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