Nursing Assistants Salary in Rapid City, SD
In Rapid City, SD, nursing assistants earn $37,250 at the median — $17.91 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $44K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.16), which stretches that salary to about $41,779 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,336/month — about 49.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $37K get you in Rapid City?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rapid City, SD
Entry-level nursing assistants (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K.Top earners bring in $44K or more - a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Nursing Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $48K | +22% | 12,800 |
| Washington | $48K | +22% | 28,080 |
| New York | $47K | +20% | 85,310 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +19% | 2,550 |
| California | $46K | +17% | 102,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +16% | 7,190 |
| Alaska | $46K | +16% | 1,660 |
| Maine | $46K | +15% | 8,590 |
| Minnesota | $46K | +15% | 26,970 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +15% | 38,280 |
| Nevada | $45K | +14% | 8,670 |
| New Jersey | $45K | +14% | 31,310 |
| Hawaii | $45K | +13% | 4,620 |
| Illinois | $45K | +13% | 64,660 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +13% | 21,390 |
Track nursing assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rapid City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do nursing assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The median is $37,250 a year - that works out to about $17.91 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,200, and experienced nursing assistants can clear $43,510. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Rapid City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,664/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,336/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a nursing assistants salary go in Rapid City?
Rapid City has a Regional Price Parity of 89.16 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nursing assistants salary is worth about $41,779 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nursing assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.