Registered Nurse Salary in Yankton, SD: $91,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Yankton, SD earns a median $91,639/year (≈ $44.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Yankton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $98,749 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in Yankton, South Dakota, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $91,639, positioning them below the national median of $102,730. This salary reflects a range from $68,877 at the 10th percentile to $118,972 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, highlight a significant pay structure distinction between staff nurses and travel nurses in Yankton’s healthcare market. The competition among healthcare facilities for skilled nurses translates into varied compensation packages, often influenced by factors such as work environment and the type of nursing role.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,877 | $33.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,112 | $37.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,639 | $44.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,222 | $48.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,972 | $57.19 |
Median Salary Position
10.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yankton
In Yankton, SD, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,095 (2026 est.). At $91,639, the local median is 10.8% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yankton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yankton Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Yankton median: $91,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yankton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,358 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -10.80% less |
Registered Nurses in Yankton, SD earn a median of $91,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $95,358.
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 registered nurse earning $91,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,749 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
$65,386
2025 BLS Actual
$87,018
2026 Current Est.
$91,639
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,386 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,197 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,018 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yankton metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $65,386 (2019) to $87,018 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,119 (47.59%) 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 5.31% 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) | $68,877 – $77,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,112 – $91,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,639 – $101,222 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,222 – $118,972 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Yankton
Currently, only four registered nurses are employed in Yankton, indicating a small but focused local job market. The cost of living index for Yankton sits at 92.8, suggesting that while registered nurse pay in Yankton SD may be lower than the national average, the relative affordability can enhance take-home purchasing power. To maximize earning potential, RNs should consider positions in specialized environments like acute care hospitals or surgical centers, where pay scales tend to be higher. Additionally, factors such as shift differentials for nighttime or weekend shifts and specialty certification stipends can significantly boost overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics allows registered nurses to make informed decisions about their career paths and capitalize on the opportunities available within Yankton’s healthcare sector.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Yankton, SD in 2026?
Is Yankton, SD a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Yankton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Yankton?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Yankton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 $87,018 for registered nursesin the Yankton 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 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 5.31%, 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