How Much Does a Paramedic Make in South Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics 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 Paramedic in South Dakota earns about $23.48 per hour, or $48,830 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $4,069 a month and about $939 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay for the role varies with city, employer, and years on the job.
That typical pay sits 19% below the national figure of $60,600 a year (hourly national typical pay is $29.13), and South Dakota ranks 48th out of the 51 states and territories tracked. About 280 paramedics work across the state, a small workforce compared with the 100,610 counted nationwide. Lower pay in South Dakota tends to track its lower cost of living relative to higher-cost states.
Paramedic pay in South Dakota at a glance
- South Dakota paramedics typically earn $23.48 an hour, or $48,830 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That figure sits 19% below the national typical pay of $60,600 a year, ranking South Dakota 48th among the 51 states and territories tracked.
- Sioux Falls pays the most in the state, with paramedics there typically earning $50,550 a year.
- Entry-level paramedics typically start around $30,950 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $58,380.
- Nationally, Paramedic pay rose 30% over the past decade, while South Dakota's typical pay climbed by $11,810 over the same years.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in South Dakota?
Paramedic pay by career stage in South Dakota
| Career stage | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,950$14.88 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $42,710$20.53 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $48,830$23.48 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $51,490$24.76 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $58,380$28.07 an hour | $84,850$40.80 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
Paramedic pay by experience level in South Dakota
Entry-level positions in South Dakota typically offer around $14.88 an hour, or about $30,950 a year. Pay generally moves up toward the state's typical figure of $48,830 within the first few years on the job. New paramedics in busier metro settings, such as Sioux Falls, often see raises sooner than those in smaller towns.
Experienced paramedics often earn upwards of $28.07 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $58,380 a year. That leaves a spread of $27,430 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and the city where someone works all play into where a paramedic lands on that range.
Paramedic pay growth in South Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in South Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Dakota's typical Paramedic pay rose from $37,020 in 2021 to $48,830 in 2025, a gain of $11,810 over that span. That five-year climb reflects steady increases each year rather than a single jump. The 2025 figure represents the most recent government wage data available.
Nationally, Paramedic pay rose 30% over the same decade, a faster pace than South Dakota's dollar gain suggests on its own. Pay for the role has moved up in South Dakota in recent years, though there is no guarantee that trend continues at the same rate. Someone starting out now enters at a higher point than paramedics did five years ago.
Paramedic salary by city in South Dakota
Pay runs highest in Sioux Falls, where paramedics typically earn $50,550 a year ($24.31 an hour), about 4% above the state figure. These figures cover the full Sioux Falls metro area. Rapid City follows at $47,810 a year ($22.99 an hour), still a solid wage relative to the rest of the state.
Rapid City is the state's lowest-paying city among the two tracked here, with the gap between it and Sioux Falls running $2,740 a year, a relatively narrow spread. Sioux Falls also holds the larger paramedic workforce, with 80 workers compared with 40 in Rapid City. Pay across South Dakota's two tracked cities stays fairly close, and higher pay in Sioux Falls tends to track its higher cost of living.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Dakota | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $50,550 | $24.31 | +4% | 80 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $47,810 | $22.99 | -2% | 40 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $48,830
How South Dakota compares with nearby states
South Dakota's Paramedic pay trails every neighboring state. Minnesota pays $76,300 a year, the highest nearby, followed by Wyoming at $64,040, North Dakota at $62,320, Iowa at $60,590, Nebraska at $56,230, and Montana at $50,890, all above South Dakota's $48,830. Paramedic licensure earned in South Dakota can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state through that state's EMS licensing agency.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $48,830 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $76,300 | +56% |
| Wyoming | $64,040 | +31% |
| North Dakota | $62,320 | +28% |
| Iowa | $60,590 | +24% |
| Nebraska | $56,230 | +15% |
| Montana | $50,890 | +4% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical Paramedic pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Dakota a good state for Paramedics?
Paramedics in South Dakota earn less than in most states: typical pay is $48,830 a year, 19% below the national figure, ranking 48th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Dakota, about 0.6 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.7. Paramedic 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
A typical Paramedic in South Dakota earns $48,830 a year, or about $23.48 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That figure has climbed by $11,810 since 2021. Readers weighing a move into the field can check South Dakota's EMS licensing board for certification requirements, and the city-level pages on this site for local pay figures in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in South Dakota?
- A typical Paramedic in South Dakota earns about $23.48 an hour, or $48,830 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 19% below the national typical pay of $60,600 a year.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in South Dakota?
- Paramedics in South Dakota typically earn $23.48 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Entry-level workers start closer to $14.88 an hour, while the top 10% earn over $28.07 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in South Dakota?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in South Dakota typically offer around $14.88 an hour, or about $30,950 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay tends to rise toward the state's typical figure of $48,830 within a few years.
- Which city in South Dakota pays Paramedics the most?
- Sioux Falls pays Paramedics the most in South Dakota, with typical pay of $50,550 a year, or $24.31 an hour, about 4% above the state figure. Rapid City follows at $47,810 a year, with a $2,740 gap between the two.
- Is Paramedic pay in South Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. South Dakota's typical Paramedic pay of $48,830 a year sits about 19% below the national typical pay of $60,600, ranking the state 48th out of 51 states and territories tracked in the latest government wage data (May 2025).