How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Rapid City, SD in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics 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 Paramedic in Rapid City, South Dakota earns $22.99 per hour, or $47,810 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,984 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,140, and the top 10% of earners make over $75,450.
That pay is 2% below the South Dakota figure of $48,830 and 21% below the national figure of $60,600. Rapid City ranks 2nd of 2 metro areas in South Dakota for Paramedic pay. About 40 Paramedics work in the Rapid City area.
Paramedic pay in Rapid City at a glance
- Typical pay is $22.99 an hour, or $47,810 a year.
- That is 2% below the South Dakota figure, ranking 2nd of 2 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $30,140; the top 10% make over $75,450.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Rapid City?
Pay in Rapid City runs from entry-level positions at around $14.49 an hour to more than $36.28 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the South Dakota and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Rapid City
| Career stage | Rapid City | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,140$14.49 an hour | $30,950$14.88 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $30,140$14.49 an hour | $42,710$20.53 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $47,810$22.99 an hour | $48,830$23.48 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $57,080$27.44 an hour | $51,490$24.76 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $75,450$36.28 an hour | $58,380$28.07 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Rapid City area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Rapid City
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Rapid City area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Rapid City was $46,160 a year. By 2025 it had reached $47,810.
How Rapid City compares with other South Dakota cities
Sioux Falls pays Paramedics the most in South Dakota at $50,550 a year, $2,740 more than Rapid City. The lowest-paying area in the state is Rapid City at $47,810.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Rapid City | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $50,550 | $24.31 | +6% | 80 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $47,810 | $22.99 | this city | 40 |
Every metro area in South Dakota with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · South Dakota typical pay $48,830
Is Rapid City a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Rapid City earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $47,810 a year, 21% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Rapid City area, about 0.5 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. Paramedic jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Rapid City, SD?
- A typical Paramedic in Rapid City earns $47,810 a year, or $22.99 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $30,140 and the top 10% earn over $75,450.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Rapid City?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Rapid City is $22.99. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $14.49, and the top 10% earn over $36.28 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Rapid City?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Rapid City typically offer around $14.49 an hour, or $30,140 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Rapid City higher than in the rest of South Dakota?
- Rapid City pay is 2% below the South Dakota figure of $48,830 a year, ranking 2nd of 2 metro areas in the state. Sioux Falls pays the most in South Dakota at $50,550.