Emergency Medical Technician salary in Rapid City, SD
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $39,440 a year ($18.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $44,470. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $36,800. There are 2.0 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,340, close to the median.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,290 | $15.53 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Median | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| 75th percentile | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Average (mean) | $39,340 | $18.92 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,643.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,516.92 |
| Weekly | $758.46 |
| Hourly | $18.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $41,710 | 80 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $36,800 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
See Emergency Medical Technician pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Paramedic | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Registered Nurse | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $39,440 a year, or $18.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $47,550 a year. The top 25% earn $45,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,290 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $34,630 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Rapid City, SD?
About 150 emergency medical technicians are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.