Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Brookings, SD: $42.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Brookings, SD runs $42.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,075 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Brookings's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,847 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, registered nurse hourly pay is projected at $42.35 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.39, highlighting the regional pay disparity. For part-time RNs working three days a week, this translates to significant earning potential while maintaining work-life balance typical in clinical settings like hospital floors, ICUs, emergency departments, or outpatient clinics. With the hourly pay range starting at $32.56 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $55.79 for experienced practitioners, RNs in Brookings have opportunities that can vary significantly based on experience, specialty, and workplace. Factors such as shift differentials for nights or weekends may also influence earnings, acknowledging the dynamic nature of nursing schedules.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.56 | $260.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.16 | $289.31 |
| Median (P50) | $42.35 | $338.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.27 | $378.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.79 | $446.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookings
Based on $42.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.35/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookings, SD can expect to earn approximately $88,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,814. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,693.81 | $7,340 | $88,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.28 | $4,404 | $52,847 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.52 | $2,936 | $35,231 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Brookings) | $42.35 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Brookings, SD earn a median of $88,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $95,319.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.35/hr = $52,847/year (purchasing power: $56,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,078/year (purchasing power: $94,912).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Brookings grew 33.1% from $30.21/hr (2019) to $40.21/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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 5.31% 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 Registered Nurse in Brookings
Considering the earning landscape for part-time and per-diem registered nurse pay in Brookings, a nurse working 24 hours a week could take home $52,488 annually, compared to what full-time RNs earn. Per-diem opportunities frequently offer higher hourly pay rates, with many RNs earning between $50 and $80 per hour, especially in high-demand specialties. Travel nursing contracts can provide substantial weekly pay ranging from $2,000 to $4,500, with crisis assignments reaching between $5,000 and $8,000. Additionally, registered nurses have diverse employment avenues, from hospitals to home health agencies, each offering different compensation structures. Those willing to accept lower hourly rates for jobs with benefits can find stability, whereas others may prioritize higher hourly rates for greater flexibility. A strategic approach to negotiations focusing on these variables can be beneficial in determining the best fit in the Brookings healthcare market.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Brookings. 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 Brookings 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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov