Firefighter salary in South Dakota
Firefighters in South Dakota earn a median of $48,160 a year ($23.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,280. South Dakota ranks 34th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $51,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,240 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Median | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| 75th percentile | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Average (mean) | $51,180 | $24.60 |
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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,160 | 220 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $68,810 | $33.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for firefighters in South Dakota is $48,160 a year, or $23.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of firefighters in South Dakota earn at least $61,420 a year. The top 25% earn $59,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,240 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,730 or less.
How many firefighters work in South Dakota?
About 610 firefighters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.