Nurse Anesthetist Salary in South Dakota: $249,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $249,077/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $268,402 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($243,560), Rapid City ($222,099), Watertown ($211,113).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in South Dakota is projected to be $249,077, marginally exceeding the national median of $248,893 by 0.1%. Salary disparities among cities are significant, with Sioux Falls offering the highest average at $256,225, while Huron presents the lowest at $213,007. This $43,218 gap is primarily driven by factors such as cost of living, healthcare demand, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. The job market for nurse anesthetists in South Dakota is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 5.20%, reflecting an increasing demand for advanced practice providers. Licensing requirements in the state are aligned with national standards, allowing nurse anesthetists to practice with a certain level of autonomy, which can enhance job satisfaction and opportunities for local employment. Key employment hubs include Rapid City with an average salary of $233,648, Watertown at $222,091, and Yankton and Spearfish near $222,021 and $221,466, respectively. These figures illustrate the potential for competitive earnings in various regions of South Dakota, driven by the local healthcare infrastructure and population needs. Overall, the outlook for nurse anesthetists in the state remains positive, supported by solid hiring trends and an expanding patient population.
South Dakota Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $142,901 (lowest entry-level) to $381,497 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota nurse anesthetists earn 0.07% more than the national median (+$184/year difference).
South Dakota Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in South Dakota range from $193,229 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $365,400 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $249,077. The South Dakota median is $184 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $119.75/hr. Approximately 291 nurse anesthetists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$190,460
2025 BLS Actual
$236,765
2026 Current Est.
$249,077
2019–2027 Growth
+37.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $190,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $194,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $176,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $184,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $199,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $215,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $236,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $249,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $262,029 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 24.3% from $190,460 (2019) to $236,765 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $262,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $71,569 (37.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $213,007 |
| Vermillion | $213,337 |
| Brookings | $213,389 |
| Pierre | $217,001 |
| Aberdeen | $219,500 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $256,225 | 90.631 | $282,712 |
| Rapid City | $233,648 | 92.8 | $251,776 |
| Watertown | $222,091 | 92.8 | $239,322 |
| Yankton | $222,021 | 92.8 | $239,247 |
| Spearfish | $221,466 | 92.8 | $238,649 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $193,229 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $249,077 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $365,400 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $256,225 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $233,648 |
| 3 | Watertown | $222,091 |
| 4 | Yankton | $222,021 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $221,466 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $219,868 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $219,500 |
| 8 | Pierre | $217,001 |
| 9 | Brookings | $213,389 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $213,337 |
| 11 | Huron | $213,007 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does South Dakota nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov