Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Yankton, SD: $60,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Yankton, SD earns a median $60,721/year (≈ $29.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Yankton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $65,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yankton, South Dakota, the 2026 projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is $60,721, significantly lower than the national median of $68,071. The local salary range extends from $49,880 at the 10th percentile to $72,351 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied opportunities in different healthcare settings. Estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, indicate that LPNs in Yankton can expect compensation that encompasses distinct pay scales depending on whether they work in skilled nursing facilities, home health, or physician offices. As the job market continues to develop, local employment dynamics will likely influence both the immediate and long-term earning potential for nursing professionals in the area.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,721 | $29.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,772 | $33.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,351 | $34.79 |
Median Salary Position
10.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yankton
In Yankton, SD, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,471 (2026 est.). At $60,721, the local median is 10.8% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yankton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yankton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Yankton median: $60,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yankton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $63,186 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -10.80% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yankton has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yankton, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $60,721 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,432 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,354
2025 BLS Actual
$57,447
2026 Current Est.
$60,721
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,354 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,281 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,447 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yankton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $42,354 (2019) to $57,447 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,829 (51.54%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,880 – $56,900 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,900 – $60,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,721 – $68,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,772 – $72,351 |
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 Yankton
With only four licensed practical nurses currently employed in Yankton, competition for roles is minimal. The cost of living index in the city is notably low at 92.8, suggesting that the take-home pay offers reasonable purchasing power for LPNs in this region. Skilled nursing facilities generally provide the highest salaries, followed by long-term care settings, while home health agencies and physician offices may offer lower compensation. Weekend and holiday premiums, along with stipends for specialized training like IV therapy, can further widen the pay scale. To maximize earnings, practical nurses in Yankton should consider pursuing additional certifications or shifts in high-demand environments, leveraging their skills within long-term care to enhance their pay structure.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Yankton, SD in 2026?
Is Yankton, SD a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Yankton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Yankton?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Yankton?
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
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 $57,447 for licensed practical nursesin the Yankton 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
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