Firefighter salary in Rapid City, SD
Firefighters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $48,160 a year ($23.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,220 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $48,160. There are 3.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th percentile | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Median | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| 75th percentile | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Average (mean) | $53,540 | $25.74 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $4,013.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,006.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,852.31 |
| Weekly | $926.15 |
| Hourly | $23.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for firefighters in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $48,160 a year, or $23.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $68,220 a year. The top 25% earn $59,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,050 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $48,160 or less.
How many firefighters work in Rapid City, SD?
About 220 firefighters are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.