Nursing Assistant Salary in Rapid City, SD
Nursing Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median $38,500 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,115 take-home, or $2,760 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Rapid City, SD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,440
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,387
- Medicare (1.45%)$558
- South Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$33,115
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Rapid City, SD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,290 | $17.45 | $31,339 | $2,612 |
| 25th percentile | $38,500 | $18.51 | $33,115 | $2,760 |
| Median (50th) | $38,500 | $18.51 | $33,115 | $2,760 |
| 75th percentile | $43,860 | $21.09 | $37,422 | $3,118 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,100 | $22.16 | $39,221 | $3,268 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,500 buys in Rapid City, SD
Prices in Rapid City, SD are 10.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $33,115 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,141 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rapid City, SD has 1.9× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Rapid City, SD ranks #91 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 91 | Rapid City, SD | $38,500 | $33,115 | $37,141 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in South Dakota
- Sioux Falls, SD — $39,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $38,500 a year, or about $18.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,500 and $43,860.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Rapid City, SD?
On the median $38,500 salary, a single filer living in South Dakota takes home about $33,115 a year ($2,760 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Rapid City, SD a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 10.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,141 would in a typical U.S. city. Rapid City, SD ranks #91 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Rapid City, SD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rapid City, SD is $1,001 a month ($1,314 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,760