Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Rapid City, SD: $233,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Rapid City, SD earns a median $233,648/year (≈ $112.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $251,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Rapid City, SD, is projected to be $233,648, which is about 6.13% lower than the national median of $248,893. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $152,976 at the lower end (P10) to $336,867 at the higher end (P90), reflecting the varying levels of expertise and experience among practitioners. The competitive pay structure in Rapid City highlights the significance of the local job market and its unique dynamics within the Anesthesia Care Team model predominant in South Dakota, where CRNAs operate alongside anesthesiologists. With 16 nurse anesthetists currently employed in the area, this stability hints at the growing demand and evolving roles for these professionals in the healthcare landscape.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($218,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $152,976 | $73.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $202,152 | $97.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $233,648 | $112.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $292,675 | $140.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $336,867 | $161.96 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $183,891 (2026 est.). At $233,648, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $233,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $230,878 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -6.13% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $233,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $230,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City 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.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $233,648 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $251,776 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$164,084
2025 BLS Actual
$222,099
2026 Current Est.
$233,648
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $164,084 | Actual |
| 2020 | $172,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $195,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $190,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $199,625 | Actual |
| 2024 | $204,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $222,099 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $233,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $245,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $164,084 (2019) to $222,099 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $245,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $81,714 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $152,976 – $202,152 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $202,152 – $233,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $233,648 – $292,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $292,675 – $336,867 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Rapid City
Analyzing the dynamics of nurse anesthetist pay in Rapid City reveals that while the median salary is attractive, the cost of living index, currently at 92.8, indicates that purchasing power is marginally better than in many other regions. This lower cost of living can enhance the overall quality of life for nurse anesthetists in the area. Leading employers in Rapid City tend to be hospital systems that offer competitive compensation packages, while CRNA-owned practices may provide partnership tracks that can yield higher income potential over time. Pay discrepancies often arise from call coverage rotations, with professionals on intense schedules potentially earning more due to added responsibilities. To maximize earnings, nurse anesthetists should consider opportunities within locum tenens, weekend and holiday shifts, and negotiating for bonuses tied to OR efficiency. Understanding the nuances of employer compensation strategies in this market can significantly impact long-term career satisfaction and financial success.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $222,099 for nurse anesthetistsin the Rapid City metropolitan area. A 5.20% 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 Rapid City 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 5.20%, 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