Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Yankton, SD: $29.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Yankton, SD runs $29.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,721 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Yankton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,435 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Yankton, South Dakota, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $29.19 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $32.73. This discrepancy provides insight into the earning potential for part-time workers who typically operate on schedules like three 8-hour shifts a week, bringing in around $23,000 annually before taxes. Per-diem roles also offer varying compensation, with typical hourly rates ranging from $23.98 for entry-level positions to $34.79 for the highest earners in this profession. Licensed practical nurses in Yankton can find employment in skilled nursing facilities, home health settings, physician offices, and other healthcare environments, allowing flexibility in work arrangements while earning an hourly rate based on annual salary estimates.
About the Yankton 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) | $23.98 | $191.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.36 | $218.84 |
| Median (P50) | $29.19 | $233.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.06 | $264.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.79 | $278.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yankton
Based on $29.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.19/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yankton, SD can expect to earn approximately $60,724 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,033. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yankton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yankton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.77 | $5,060 | $60,724 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.66 | $3,036 | $36,435 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.11 | $2,024 | $24,290 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Yankton) | $29.19 |
| 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 Yankton, SD earn a median of $60,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $63,186.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.19/hr = $36,435/year (purchasing power: $39,261).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,724/year (purchasing power: $65,436).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Yankton grew 35.6% from $20.36/hr (2019) to $27.62/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.86/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 Yankton 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 Yankton
When considering part-time earnings, a licensed practical nurse working three days a week for 24 hours would generate about $28,032 in a year, a notable difference compared to full-time earnings. Per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Yankton typically falls between $28 and $42 per hour, although agency positions at some nursing facilities may command rates as high as $45 to $60 per hour due to staffing shortages. The variation in hourly rates reflects differences in employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies generally offering more modest pay compared to higher-paid positions in urgent care or specialty clinics. Some LPNs make trade-offs by choosing lower compensation for full-time roles that come with health benefits, while others prefer to pursue higher hourly rates without a benefits package. For those negotiating their rates, being aware of local labor demands and the specific benefits offered by potential employers can greatly influence successful discussions about compensation.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Yankton in 2026?
How much do part-time licensed practical nurses make in Yankton?
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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 Yankton. 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 Yankton 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