Firefighter salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Firefighters in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $50,840 a year ($24.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $48,160. There are 1.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $52,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 25th percentile | $46,960 | $22.58 |
| Median | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 75th percentile | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Average (mean) | $52,600 | $25.29 |
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 | $4,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,118.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,955.38 |
| Weekly | $977.69 |
| Hourly | $24.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $68,060 | 180 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $53,130 | 270 |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,160 | 220 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,200 | 230 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,190 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,820 | 210 |
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,760 | $53.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $70,930 | $34.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $122,240 | $58.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,580 | $28.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $50,840 a year, or $24.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $61,420 a year. The top 25% earn $61,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,980 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,960 or less.
How many firefighters work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 190 firefighters are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.