ICU Travel Nurse Salary in South Dakota
Calculate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in South Dakota. ICU travel nurses care for critically ill patients in intensive care units, requiring advanced skills in life support, monitoring, and critical thinking.
Last updated: February 21, 2026
Average Hourly Rate
$44/hr
ICU in SD
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,760
Before taxes
Annual Potential
$91,520
Working full-time
South Dakota ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurse compensation
South Dakota is one of the best states for ICU travel nurses seeking maximum take-home pay: zero state income tax combined with below-average cost of living means you keep more of every dollar earned. Your estimated weekly stipend profit is $903.
Est. Weekly Gross
$2,859
(Taxable + Stipends)
Est. Weekly Net
$2,437
(After 24% est. tax)
Stipend vs Housing
+$903/wk
(Surplus or deficit)
Hawaii leads at $64/hr — $20/hr more than South Dakota. Compare →
Calculate Your ICU Pay in South Dakota
Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in South Dakota. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
Same state assignment. You'll pay no state tax plus 24% federal tax.
Overtime (Optional)
Blended Hourly Rate
$70.53
Based on 36 hours in SD.
Gross Weekly Pay
$2,539
Taxable Weekly Income
$1,440
Estimated Weekly Taxes
$346
True Net Weekly Pay
$2,193
Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.
Assignment Projections
13-Week Assignment
$28,514
Net Pay
26-Week Assignment
$57,028
Net Pay
Annual (52 weeks)
$114,057
Net Pay
Take Home vs Taxes
Take Home
$2,193
per week
Taxes
$346
per week
Total Gross: $2,539 per week
🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis
Your Weekly Housing Stipend
$686
≈ $2,970/month
Est. 1BR Rent in South Dakota
$850
Monthly average
✅ Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money
+$2,120
Your stipend covers rent with $2,120 left over each month.
Find apartments under $850/month in Sioux Falls:
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Cost of Living Analysis in South Dakota
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
National average = 100. South Dakota's cost of living is lower than the national average by 1.0 points.
Housing Cost: Moderate
Utilities: Low
Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.
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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in South Dakota
ICU travel nurses in South Dakota receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.
Lodging
$98/night
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
Weekly Stipend Max
$1,134
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in South Dakota
ICU Certifications
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
South Dakota Licensing
Tax & Cost of Living in South Dakota
Tax Information
Cost of Living
Top Cities for ICU Travel Nurses in South Dakota
Top Hospitals Hiring ICU Nurses in South Dakota
- Sanford USD Medical Center
- Avera McKennan Hospital
- Rapid City Regional Hospital
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in South Dakota?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in South Dakota typically earn between $39 and $56 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $44/hr. This translates to approximately $1,760 per week or $91,520 annually. ICU nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.
What are the requirements to work as a ICU travel nurse in South Dakota?
To work as a Intensive Care Unit travel nurse in South Dakota, you typically need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. South Dakota is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.
What GSA rates apply for ICU travel nurses in South Dakota?
The GSA per diem rates for South Dakota are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. ICU travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.
Is South Dakota a good state for ICU travel nurses?
South Dakota is relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. ICU nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 99 (below national average).
Which cities in South Dakota have the best ICU travel nurse jobs?
Popular cities for Intensive Care Unit travel nurse assignments in South Dakota include: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen. Major hospitals like Sanford USD Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital frequently hire ICU travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.