How to Become A Certified Nursing Assistant in South Dakota
South Dakota employs approximately 6,860 certified nursing assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,800 1. The state’s concentration of certified nursing assistant jobs is 1.61x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a certified nursing assistant in South Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Certified Nursing Assistant in South Dakota
How do I become a certified nursing assistant in South Dakota? South Dakota requires credentials such as Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Medication Aide. The licensing authority is the South Dakota Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for certified nursing assistants. The South Dakota Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do certified nursing assistants earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in South Dakota is $38,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,110 and experienced professionals can earn $46,100 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: South Dakota Board of Nursing
- Median wage (South Dakota): $38,800 per year 1
Certified Nursing Assistant License Requirements in South Dakota
The South Dakota Board of Nursing oversees certified nursing assistant licensing in South Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwife | A nurse midwife may perform the following overlapping scope of advanced practice nursing and medical functions pursuant including management of the prenatal and postpartum care of the mother-baby unit… |
| Certified Nurse Practitioner | A nurse practitioner may perform the following overlapping scope of advanced practice nursing and medical functions including the initial medical diagnosis and the institution of a plan of therapy or… |
| Medication Aide | Please see licensing website for more information |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | A certified registered nurse anesthetist, in addition to performing all those functions within the scope of practice of a registered nurse as provided in this chapter, may perform the following functi… |
| Nurse, Registered | A registered nurse engages in the nursing diagnosis of human responses to actual or potential health problems of individuals or groups, providing preventative, restorative and supportive care, health… |
| Nurses Aide | A person providing nursing or nursing-related services who is not a licensed health care worker, or someone who volunteers to provide such services without pay. |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | The practice of a licensed clinical nurse specialist, by means of graduate education in nursing and additional clinical preparation which provides for knowledge, judgment, and skills beyond that requi… |
| Nurse, Licensed Practical | The practice of licensed practical nursing means: (1)The performance of any acts in the care, treatment, or observation of the ill, injured or infirm; (2)Maintenance of health of others and promotion… |
| Nursing Facility Administrator | A person who administers, manages, supervises, or is in general administrative charge of a nursing facility, whether the individual has an ownership interest in such facility and whether the function… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Certified Nursing Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
Nursing Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), nursing assistants wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 2,930 | $39,190 | $39,260 | $31,110 | $45,850 |
| Rapid City | 1,280 | $38,500 | $40,150 | $36,290 | $46,100 |
| Sioux City | 930 | $38,940 | $41,360 | $36,410 | $48,090 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Certified nursing assistants in South Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest certified nursing assistant employment within South Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 2,930 | $39,190 |
| Rapid City | 1,280 | $38,500 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for certified nursing assistants in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 6,860 certified nursing assistants 1. Nationally, certified nursing assistant employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a certified nursing assistant in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Dakota.
How much do certified nursing assistants earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for certified nursing assistants in South Dakota is $38,800, which is $730 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/licensure.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |