Travel Nurse Pay in South Dakota

Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for South Dakota. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Calculate Your Pay in South Dakota

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in South Dakota, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for South Dakota ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate24.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 0%

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

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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

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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

Monthly Net Income:$9,497
Average 1BR Rent:$850
True Discretionary Income:$8,647

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:99.0

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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Average Travel Nurse Pay in South Dakota

These are average pay rates for travel nurses in South Dakota. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.

Hourly Rate

$40/hr

Weekly Gross

$1,600

Annual

$83,200

GSA Per Diem Rates for South Dakota

Lodging

$98/night

Meals

$59/day

Incidentals

$5/day

These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in South Dakota.

Tax Information for South Dakota

State Income Tax None
Tax-Friendly for Travel Nurses Yes

Cost of Living in South Dakota

Cost of Living Index

99

Below national average

Housing

Moderate

Utilities

Low

Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in South Dakota

These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in South Dakota. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.

View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.

South Dakota Pay by Nursing Specialty

Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for South Dakota:

View all specialties →

Top Hospitals in South Dakota

  • Sanford USD Medical Center
  • Avera McKennan Hospital
  • Rapid City Regional Hospital

Nursing License Requirements for South Dakota

Nurse Licensure Compact Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Cost of Living in South Dakota

Average 1BR Rent

$850/mo

Cost of Living Index

99

National avg = 100

Housing Cost

Moderate

Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in South Dakota. Consider that rent in South Dakota is lower than the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in South Dakota?

Travel nurses in South Dakota typically earn between $35 and $50 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $40/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $44-59 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for 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 travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

Is South Dakota tax-friendly for travel nurses?

South Dakota has no state income tax, making it relatively tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.

What is the cost of living in South Dakota?

The cost of living index in South Dakota is 99, which is below the national average. Housing costs are moderate, and utilities are low.

Do I need a separate license to work in South Dakota?

South Dakota is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional licensing. The license costs $200 and typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Resources for South Dakota