Paramedic salary in South Dakota
Paramedics in South Dakota earn a median of $48,830 a year ($23.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,380 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $60,600. South Dakota ranks 48th of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 0.61 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,290, close to the median.
Pay range for paramedics in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| 25th percentile | $42,710 | $20.53 |
| Median | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| 75th percentile | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| Average (mean) | $48,290 | $23.22 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $4,069.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,034.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,878.08 |
| Weekly | $939.04 |
| Hourly | $23.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,310 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,550 | 80 |
| Rapid City, SD | $47,810 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,820 | $38.85 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $67,290 | $32.35 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in South Dakota?
The median salary for paramedics in South Dakota is $48,830 a year, or $23.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of paramedics in South Dakota earn at least $58,380 a year. The top 25% earn $51,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,950 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $42,710 or less.
How many paramedics work in South Dakota?
About 280 paramedics are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.