Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $56,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $56,571/year (≈ $27.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $62,419 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.4% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the compensation for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is projected to average around $56,571 annually in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $68,071. Salary ranges for this profession span from $41,160 at the lower end (P10) to $68,462 (P90) for those with the most experience or specialized skills. Many LPNs work in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and clinics, and these environments significantly influence pay structures. Skilled nursing environments tend to offer higher salaries due to the complexity and demand for care, while home health positions may present lower wages, impacting overall job satisfaction and mobility in the field. This local job market for LPNs, projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.70%, suggests a stable demand for nursing professionals in Sioux Falls.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,512 | $25.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,571 | $27.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,044 | $30.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,462 | $32.91 |
Median Salary Position
16.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,302 (2026 est.). At $56,571, the local median is 16.89% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be above the median
How Sioux Falls Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $56,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $63,137 | -10.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -16.89% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $56,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.89% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 10.40% below the South Dakota state average of $63,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $56,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,419 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,010
2025 BLS Actual
$53,520
2026 Current Est.
$56,571
2019–2027 Growth
+53.3%
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 | $39,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 37.2% from $39,010 (2019) to $53,520 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,785 (53.28%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,160 – $52,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,512 – $56,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,571 – $64,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,044 – $68,462 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Sioux Falls
The job market in Sioux Falls currently employs approximately 990 licensed practical nurses, a relatively small workforce considering the local population. With a cost-of-living index of 90.631, LPNs must navigate economic realities that can affect their purchasing power. Those seeking higher salaries may find opportunities in skilled nursing facilities, which often provide better compensation packages compared to home health or physician offices. The pay differentials are emphasized by factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend premiums common in long-term care settings. Enhancing one’s qualifications by pursuing certifications or transitioning to an LPN-to-RN bridge program can also help maximize prospects for higher earnings. Understanding these local dynamics can provide insights into how much licensed practical nurses make in Sioux Falls, SD, guiding career advancement strategies effectively.
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,520 for licensed practical nursesin the Sioux Falls metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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