Psychiatric Travel Nurse Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Psychiatric travel nurses heading to Rapid City.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Psychiatric)
$36/hr
Rapid City, SD
Total Weekly Package
$2,559
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,217
After ~24% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Psychiatric in Rapid City
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
South Dakota Psychiatric Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Psychiatric travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,425
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$74,124
Tax estimate: No state tax + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Psychiatric Pay in Rapid City
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Rapid City's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
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:
Affiliate link
We may earn a commission if you book through our link.
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.
Resources for Your Assignment
These are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Rapid City
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Psychiatric travel nurses working in Rapid City. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for Psychiatric Travel Nurses in South Dakota
Psychiatric Certifications Required
- BLS
- 1+ years psych experience
- CPI preferred
South Dakota Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Psychiatric Travel Nurses in Rapid City
- Rapid City Regional Medical
- Rapid City General Hospital
- Community Health Rapid City
Other Specialties in Rapid City
ICU
~$40/hr
Very HighER
~$39/hr
Very HighOR
~$41/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$38/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$35/hr
Very HighPACU
~$39/hr
HighNICU
~$39/hr
HighPICU
~$40/hr
HighOncology
~$37/hr
HighOther South Dakota Cities for Psychiatric Travel Nurses
View all South Dakota cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Psychiatric travel nurses make in Rapid City?
Psychiatric travel nurses in Rapid City earn approximately $36/hr in taxable wages ($1,425/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,559. Annual potential is $74,124 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Rapid City?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Rapid City are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Rapid City affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Rapid City is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Psychiatric travel nurses need for South Dakota assignments?
Psychiatric travel nurses need: BLS, 1+ years psych experience, CPI preferred. For South Dakota specifically: South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Rapid City without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Rapid City hire Psychiatric travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Rapid City that hire Psychiatric travel nurses include: Rapid City Regional Medical, Rapid City General Hospital, Community Health Rapid City. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Psychiatric positions in Rapid City.
Looking for a contract?
Get matched with top-paying recruiters in your desired state.