TRAVEL
NURSE’S
GUIDE TO
SOUTH
DAKOTA
TRAVEL
NURSE’S
GUIDE TO
SOUTH
DAKOTA
SOUTH DAKOTA BY THE NUMBERS
$51K
Average annual salary of a
registered nurse in SOUTH DAKOTA
24
NUMBER OF Hospitals in the sTate of SOUTH DAKOTA
1%
HIGHER HOUSING COSTS THAN
THE REST OF THE U.S.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA
TRAVEL NURSE SALARY
South Dakota is on par with the national average for travel nurse pay. What does that mean to a nurse looking to travel? Travel nurses, on average, take home between 10-30% more than their permanent counterparts. Please keep in mind that travel nurses can land between, below, or above this range based on location and their specialty. Put into context, the average annual salary of a registered nurse in South Dakota is $51,312, according to Nurse Salary Guide.

TRAVEL NURSE SALARY
South Dakota is on par with the national average for travel nurse pay. What does that mean to a nurse looking to travel? Travel nurses, on average, take home between 10-30% more than their permanent counterparts. Please keep in mind that travel nurses can land between, below, or above this range based on location and their specialty. Put into context, the average annual salary of a registered nurse in South Dakota is $51,312, according to Nurse Salary Guide.

HOW DO I GET MY SOUTH DAKOTA
NURSING LICENSE?

South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in other NLC states without having to obtain an additional license. If your current home state of residence is not a state that participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, applying for an South Dakota nursing license by endorsement is necessary.
If a travel nurse wants to obtain their South Dakota nursing license, they must follow these steps:
- Complete the South Dakota Board of Nursing online application for License of Endorsement and submit with the appropriate fee. Detailed instructions can be found here.
- Verification of Licensure is required from your original state of licensure. If your home state participates in the NURSYS Verification system, the request can be completed on the NURSYS site. If that state does not participate in NURSYS, contact the board of nursing there for further instructions. You will need to complete and send them the Verification of Licensure form found here with the appropriate fee, if any. Request that the verification be sent to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at 4305 S. Louise Avenue Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106-3115.
- To obtain a nursing license in South Dakota, you must provide verification of nursing employment or volunteer work of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period or an accumulated total of at least 480 years within the preceding six years. Ask your current or previous employer to complete the Employment Verification form and mail it to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at 4305 S. Louise Avenue Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106-3115 or email the document to Vanderbush@state.sd.us.
- South Dakota requires official transcripts. You must request that your nursing school send transcripts with your grades and degree conferred directly to the South Dakota Board of Nursing. If the school requires electronic transcript transmission they can be emailed to Vanderbush@state.sd.us.
- Fingerprint and background checks are required for all applicants. Only fingerprint cards provided by the South Dakota Board of Nursing can be used. Mark the box on your application that states: Please mail out the Criminal Background Check packet to me and they will be sent to the address provided on your application with further instructions.
HOW DO I GET MY SOUTH DAKOTA NURSING LICENSE?

South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in other NLC states without having to obtain an additional license. If your current home state of residence is not a state that participates in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, applying for an South Dakota nursing license by endorsement is necessary.
If a travel nurse wants to obtain their South Dakota nursing license, they must follow these steps:
- Complete the South Dakota Board of Nursing online application for License of Endorsement and submit with the appropriate fee. Detailed instructions can be found here.
- Verification of Licensure is required from your original state of licensure. If your home state participates in the NURSYS Verification system, the request can be completed on the NURSYS site. If that state does not participate in NURSYS, contact the board of nursing there for further instructions. You will need to complete and send them the Verification of Licensure form found here with the appropriate fee, if any. Request that the verification be sent to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at 4305 S. Louise Avenue Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106-3115.
- To obtain a nursing license in South Dakota, you must provide verification of nursing employment or volunteer work of at least 140 hours in any 12-month period or an accumulated total of at least 480 years within the preceding six years. Ask your current or previous employer to complete the Employment Verification form and mail it to the South Dakota Board of Nursing at 4305 S. Louise Avenue Suite 201, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106-3115 or email the document to Vanderbush@state.sd.us.
- South Dakota requires official transcripts. You must request that your nursing school send transcripts with your grades and degree conferred directly to the South Dakota Board of Nursing. If the school requires electronic transcript transmission they can be emailed to Vanderbush@state.sd.us.
- Fingerprint and background checks are required for all applicants. Only fingerprint cards provided by the South Dakota Board of Nursing can be used. Mark the box on your application that states: Please mail out the Criminal Background Check packet to me and they will be sent to the address provided on your application with further instructions.
TRAVEL NURSE OPPORTUNITIES
IN SOUTH DAKOTA
- South Dakota is home to 24 hospitals.
- There are 0 Level I trauma centers.
- Multiple large health systems including: Sanford Health, Avera Health, Regional Health
- 3 teaching hospitals, including: University of South Dakota Medical Center, Sioux Falls VA Medical Center

TRAVEL NURSE OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH DAKOTA
- South Dakota is home to 24 hospitals.
- There are 0 Level I trauma centers.
- Multiple large health systems including: Sanford Health, Avera Health, Regional Health
- 3 teaching hospitals, including: University of South Dakota Medical Center, Sioux Falls VA Medical Center

TRAVEL NURSE HOUSING
IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Our dedicated travel and housing team can help you find great housing in South Dakota. There are two options available: company paid housing or receive per diems to find housing for yourself.
South Dakota’s cost of living is 5% below the national average. So, what about housing? On average, housing costs are 1% higher than the rest of the country.
Here are some figures about the average cost of renting apartments in South Dakota:
- One-bedroom: 41% below the national median.
- Two-bedroom: 39% below the national median.
Keep in mind that prices and percentages vary based on location.
Whatever the choice, MSO South Dakota’s team is available to assist you with all your travel and housing needs. We ensure that your transition is as seamless as possible.
TRAVEL NURSE HOUSING IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Our dedicated travel and housing team can help you find great housing in South Dakota. There are two options available: company paid housing or receive per diems to find housing for yourself.
South Dakota’s cost of living is 5% below the national average. So, what about housing? On average, housing costs are 1% higher than the rest of the country.
Here are some figures about the average cost of renting apartments in South Dakota:
- One-bedroom: 41% below the national median.
- Two-bedroom: 39% below the national median.
Keep in mind that prices and percentages vary based on location.
Whatever the choice, MSO South Dakota’s team is available to assist you with all your travel and housing needs. We ensure that your transition is as seamless as possible.