How Much Does an EMT Make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Rapid City, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across South Dakota.
BLS OES May 2025 · Rapid City metro area
A typical EMT in Rapid City, South Dakota earns $18.96 per hour, or $39,440 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,287 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $32,290, and the top 10% of earners make over $47,550.
That pay is 7% above the South Dakota figure of $36,800 and 11% below the national figure of $44,470. Rapid City ranks 1st of 2 metro areas in South Dakota for EMT pay. About 150 EMTs work in the Rapid City area.
EMT pay in Rapid City at a glance
- Typical pay is $18.96 an hour, or $39,440 a year.
- That is 7% above the South Dakota figure, ranking 1st of 2 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $32,290; the top 10% make over $47,550.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Rapid City?
Pay in Rapid City runs from entry-level positions at around $15.53 an hour to more than $22.86 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the South Dakota and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Rapid City
| Career stage | Rapid City | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $32,290$15.53 an hour | $31,130$14.97 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $34,630$16.65 an hour | $34,780$16.72 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $39,440$18.96 an hour | $36,800$17.69 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $45,130$21.70 an hour | $43,570$20.95 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $47,550$22.86 an hour | $48,460$23.30 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Rapid City area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Rapid City
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Rapid City area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical EMT pay in Rapid City was $36,330 a year. By 2025 it had reached $39,440.
How Rapid City compares with other South Dakota cities
Rapid City pays EMTs the most of any metro area in South Dakota. The lowest-paying area in the state is Sioux Falls at $36,800.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Rapid City | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $39,440 | $18.96 | this city | 150 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $36,800 | $17.69 | -7% | 120 |
Every metro area in South Dakota with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $36,800
Is Rapid City a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Rapid City earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $39,440 a year, 11% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Rapid City area, about 2.0 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes the local economy more reliant on EMTs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Rapid City, SD?
- A typical EMT in Rapid City earns $39,440 a year, or $18.96 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $32,290 and the top 10% earn over $47,550.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Rapid City?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Rapid City is $18.96. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $15.53, and the top 10% earn over $22.86 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Rapid City?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Rapid City typically offer around $15.53 an hour, or $32,290 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Rapid City higher than in the rest of South Dakota?
- Rapid City pay is 7% above the South Dakota figure of $36,800 a year, ranking 1st of 2 metro areas in the state.