Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $29.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Spearfish, SD runs $29.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,569 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,342 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Spearfish, South Dakota, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay stands at $29.12, which reflects a disparity when compared to the national median hourly rate of $32.73. This median rate can be quite beneficial for those working part-time, as LPNs typically seek flexible schedules that allow for three days a week. In various healthcare settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and assisted living communities, the demand remains high for dedicated professionals. With an hourly range from $22.89 for entry-level positions to $34.55 for experienced nurses, there’s potential for significant earnings based on experience and setting. These hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data, highlighting the earning opportunities in the local healthcare market.
About the Spearfish 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) | $22.89 | $183.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.34 | $226.71 |
| Median (P50) | $29.12 | $232.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.89 | $263.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.55 | $276.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $29.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.12/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $60,570 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,944. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.81 | $5,048 | $60,570 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.89 | $3,029 | $36,342 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.93 | $2,019 | $24,228 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Spearfish) | $29.12 |
| 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 Spearfish, SD earn a median of $60,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $63,159.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.12/hr = $36,342/year (purchasing power: $39,162).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,570/year (purchasing power: $65,270).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Spearfish grew 35.6% from $20.31/hr (2019) to $27.55/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.78/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
Exploring part-time opportunities further reveals the potential earnings of a licensed practical nurse working a 24-hour week in Spearfish, allowing for a decent annual income while maintaining flexibility. In contrast, per diem licensed practical nurse pay can vary widely, with rates commonly billing between $28 and $42 per hour; agency work at understaffed nursing facilities can reach as high as $45-$60 per hour. The type of employer also drastically influences wage rates for LPNs in Spearfish—from long-term care facilities to home health agencies and hospital environments. While some nurses may accept lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance benefits, others might prefer higher hourly wages without such perks. For those navigating the LPN market, honing negotiation skills can be key, especially in a community where understanding the unique aspects of the healthcare landscape can inform compensation discussions.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Spearfish in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Spearfish?
Are licensed practical nurses in Spearfish paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time licensed practical nurse make per year in Spearfish?
Do licensed practical nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Spearfish?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 Spearfish. 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 Spearfish 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