Registered Nurse Salary in Spearfish, SD: $91,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Spearfish, SD earns a median $91,409/year (≈ $43.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $98,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Registered nurses in Spearfish, South Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $91,409 in 2026, reflective of local market dynamics and adjusted for regional cost factors. Salary ranges for this profession in the area are projected between $65,468 at the 10th percentile and $118,235 at the 90th percentile. Notably, the compensation for registered nurses tends to shift due to the opportunity to earn differential pay for shifts during nights and weekends, effectively enhancing overall income potential. As the healthcare landscape evolves, understanding these influences is key for those considering nursing careers in Spearfish, especially as demand for skilled RNs continues to grow.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,468 | $31.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,222 | $38.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,409 | $43.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,696 | $48.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,235 | $56.85 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,767 (2026 est.). At $91,409, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spearfish Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $91,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,317 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -11.02% less |
Registered Nurses in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $91,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $95,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $91,409 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,501 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,222
2025 BLS Actual
$86,800
2026 Current Est.
$91,409
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,222 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,029 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $65,222 (2019) to $86,800 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,041 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,468 – $80,222 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,222 – $91,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,409 – $100,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,696 – $118,235 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Spearfish
In Spearfish, the job market for registered nurses remains relatively stable, with a reported five RNs currently employed in the area. Notably, the cost of living index is set at 92.8, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance take-home pay. Local employers that typically offer higher salaries include acute care hospitals and specialty clinics, where additional pay structures such as shift differentials and certification stipends are prevalent. The variance in pay among different nursing roles is driven by several factors, including the specific demands of assignments, the presence of specialty certifications, and the hospital's magnet status. To maximize earnings in this local market, RNs might consider seeking roles in critical care or emergency departments, as well as exploring opportunities for travel nursing, which has retained its appeal post-COVID-19 due to high demand in specialty areas.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Spearfish, SD in 2026?
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Can registered nurses make $100K in Spearfish?
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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
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 $86,800 for registered nursesin the Spearfish metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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 Spearfish 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