Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Rapid City, SD: $41,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Rapid City, SD earns a median $41,003/year (≈ $19.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $45,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 reflects the ongoing structural differences in pay between various healthcare settings, particularly skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. Projected at $41,003 annually, this figure sits below the national median of $45,007, highlighting the local market's nuances. The salary range for CNAs in the area spans from $38,649 at the 10th percentile to $49,097 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while some positions offer competitive compensation, others may lag behind. These insights arise from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing both the potential and challenges within the Rapid City job market, especially as healthcare facilities seek to staff for increasing patient needs post-COVID.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,649 | $18.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,003 | $19.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,003 | $19.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,711 | $22.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,097 | $23.61 |
Median Salary Position
8.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,448 (2026 est.). At $41,003, the local median is 8.9% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Rapid City Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $41,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $41,754 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -8.90% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $41,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.90% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.80% below the South Dakota state average of $41,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% 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 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $41,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,988 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,120
2025 BLS Actual
$38,500
2026 Current Est.
$41,003
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,668 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.2% from $29,120 (2019) to $38,500 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,668 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,548 (49.96%) 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 6.50% 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) | $38,649 – $41,003 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,003 – $41,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,003 – $46,711 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,711 – $49,097 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Rapid City
The job landscape in Rapid City employs approximately 1,280 certified nursing assistants, which contributes to a relatively stable market despite the challenges posed by cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16, CNAs typically have a purchasing power that is more favorable than in many other regions. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer more competitive pay compared to hospitals, often influenced by the type of care environment. Shift differentials can significantly affect earnings; working nights might yield an additional $2-4 per hour while weekend shifts can add $1-3 more. An effective strategy for CNAs looking to maximize their pay in Rapid City involves pursuing weekend-only premium roles or acquiring additional certifications like the CMA, positioning themselves for higher pay grades based on facility acuity needs.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 $38,500 for certified nursing assistantsin the Rapid City metropolitan area. A 6.50% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov