Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Watertown, SD: $29.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Watertown, SD runs $29.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,741 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,448 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, SD, licensed practical nurses can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.20, which is notably lower than the national median of $32.73. This rate is particularly relevant for those working part-time or in per-diem settings, commonly found in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and physician offices. The hourly pay range for LPNs in Watertown varies significantly from $24.00 at the 10th percentile to $35.81 at the 90th percentile, allowing entry-level nurses and seasoned professionals to find opportunities that match their experience and circumstances. As estimated from annual salary data, these figures highlight the financial landscape for LPNs operating within the healthcare ecosystem of Watertown, where diverse care settings offer a range of compensation.
About the Watertown 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) | $24.00 | $192.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.38 | $219.01 |
| Median (P50) | $29.20 | $233.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.71 | $269.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.81 | $286.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $29.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.20/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, SD can expect to earn approximately $60,746 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,046. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.20 | $5,062 | $60,746 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.92 | $3,037 | $36,448 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.28 | $2,025 | $24,298 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Watertown) | $29.20 |
| 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 Watertown, SD earn a median of $60,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $63,140.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.20/hr = $36,448/year (purchasing power: $39,276).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,746/year (purchasing power: $65,459).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Watertown grew 35.6% from $20.37/hr (2019) to $27.63/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.87/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Examining the earning potential of LPNs who work part-time, a typical schedule of three days a week translating to approximately 24 hours can yield annual take-home pay significantly less than full-time positions. While full-time licensed practical nurse roles can provide stable income, per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Watertown fluctuates, with many LPNs billing around $28 to $42 per hour. Some agency nurses serving understaffed nursing facilities can command rates of $45 to $60 per hour, creating a broad spectrum of compensation across different employer types, including long-term care, hospice, and correctional facilities. When evaluating job offers, LPNs may find themselves weighing the benefits of a modest hourly rate with health insurance against the allure of higher pay without benefits. Engaging in negotiations for better hourly wages in Watertown requires knowing the market rates and being prepared to discuss how one's skills and experience could add value in diverse settings.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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