How Much Does an EMT Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in South Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical EMT in South Dakota earns about $17.69 per hour, or $36,800 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $3,067 a month and $708 a week. These figures describe pay across all experience levels and work settings statewide. They set a baseline for comparing entry-level pay, top earnings, and pay differences between cities.
South Dakota's typical EMT pay sits 17% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, and the state ranks 44th out of 51 states and jurisdictions on this measure. About 600 EMTs work in South Dakota, a workforce size worth keeping in mind alongside these figures. Pay that trails the national figure like this usually tracks a lower cost of living.
EMT pay in South Dakota at a glance
- A typical EMT in South Dakota earns $17.69 an hour, or about $36,800 a year, according to government wage data from May 2025.
- South Dakota EMT pay runs 17% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, ranking 44th out of 51 states.
- Rapid City pays EMTs the most in the state, at $39,440 a year, about 7% above the state figure.
- Entry-level EMTs typically start around $31,130 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $48,460.
- Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the past five years; South Dakota's typical pay increased by $7,870 in that time.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in South Dakota?
EMT pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,130$14.97 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $34,780$16.72 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $36,800$17.69 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $43,570$20.95 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $48,460$23.30 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
EMT pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $14.97 an hour, or about $31,130 a year. One step up, pay reaches $16.72 an hour, or $34,780 a year. Typical pay across all experience levels comes to $17.69 an hour, or $36,800 a year. Most EMTs move toward that typical figure within their first few years on the job.
Experienced EMTs often earn upwards of $20.95 an hour, or $43,570 a year, and the top 10% make over $23.30 an hour, or $48,460 a year. The gap between entry-level and top-tier pay comes to $17,330 a year. Setting, years of experience, and which city an EMT works in all factor into where someone lands within that range.
EMT pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota's typical EMT pay climbed from $28,930 in 2021 to $36,800 in 2025, a gain of $7,870 over that stretch, according to government wage data. The rise wasn't steady: pay reached $31,150 in 2022, jumped to $37,990 in 2023, peaked at $39,520 in 2024, then eased back to $36,800 in 2025. Even with that dip, current pay sits well above where it started.
Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the same five-year stretch, a steeper percentage climb than South Dakota's dollar gain shows on its own. Pay for EMTs in South Dakota has moved up over the past five years, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed. Someone starting an EMT career now enters a field where typical wages sit meaningfully higher than they did five years ago.
EMT salary by city in South Dakota
Pay runs highest in Rapid City, where EMTs typically earn $39,440 a year, or $18.96 an hour, about 7% above the statewide figure. These figures cover the full Rapid City metro area, not just the city itself. Rapid City also employs the most EMTs of any South Dakota city, with about 150 working there.
Sioux Falls is the lower-paying of South Dakota's two reported metro areas, with EMTs typically earning $36,800 a year, or $17.69 an hour, matching the statewide figure exactly. The spread between the two cities comes to $2,640 a year. With only two cities reported, pay differences across South Dakota stay modest, and any local gap likely traces back to cost of living rather than anything else.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $39,440 | $18.96 | +7% | 150 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $36,800 | $17.69 | 0% | 120 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $36,800
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
South Dakota's EMT pay trails most of its neighbors. Minnesota pays the most nearby, at $48,090 a year, 31% higher than South Dakota's figure, and Wyoming follows close behind at $47,070, 28% higher. Montana is the exception, paying $36,140 a year, about 2% below South Dakota's figure. EMT licensure earned in South Dakota can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary and are worth confirming directly with that state's board.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $36,800 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $48,090 | +31% |
| Wyoming | $47,070 | +28% |
| Nebraska | $41,710 | +13% |
| Iowa | $40,660 | +10% |
| North Dakota | $39,670 | +8% |
| Montana | $36,140 | -2% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical EMT pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for EMTs?
EMTs in South Dakota earn less than in most states: typical pay is $36,800 a year, 17% below the national figure, ranking 43rd of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 1.3 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. EMT jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, South Dakota ranks below most states.
Summary
EMTs in South Dakota typically earn $36,800 a year, up $7,870 from 2021. Pay has trended upward over the past five years, though it eased slightly from 2024's peak. Readers considering this career should check South Dakota's EMT licensing and registry requirements for specifics on certification, and review city pages for local pay figures in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and elsewhere before deciding where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in South Dakota?
- A typical EMT in South Dakota earns about $17.69 an hour, or $36,800 a year, according to government wage data from May 2025. That's below the national figure of $44,470 a year.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in South Dakota?
- Typical hourly pay for an EMT in South Dakota is $17.69, according to the latest wage data. Entry-level EMTs earn closer to $14.97 an hour, while the top 10% make over $23.30 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in South Dakota?
- Entry-level EMTs in South Dakota typically start around $14.97 an hour, or about $31,130 a year. Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $36,800 a year within the first few years.
- Which city in South Dakota pays EMTs the most?
- Rapid City pays EMTs the most in South Dakota, with typical pay of $39,440 a year, about 7% above the statewide figure. Sioux Falls follows at $36,800 a year, matching the state figure.
- Is EMT pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. EMT pay in South Dakota runs about 17% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, ranking the state 44th out of 51 states and jurisdictions on this measure.