South Dakota Median
$43,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $50,340
State Rank
#51 of 51
860 employed here
How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance make in South Dakota?
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in South Dakota take home a median of $43,920 annually — roughly $21.12 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $50,340.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,510 while the top 10% make $55,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $49,490 a year.
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,510 | $14.67 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,920 | $21.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,490 | $23.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,900 | $26.88 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary in other states
District of Columbia $72,260Washington $59,330Minnesota $59,220North Dakota $57,580Illinois $57,240Delaware $57,170Alaska $56,730Vermont $56,360New York $55,810Massachusetts $55,690Maine $55,150Oregon $54,980New Jersey $54,590Colorado $54,070Nebraska $53,880New Hampshire $52,770Hawaii $52,570California $52,350Wisconsin $52,350Missouri $51,410Maryland $51,350Utah $51,010Virginia $50,710Ohio $50,320Indiana $50,060Kentucky $49,990Pennsylvania $49,960Idaho $49,660Tennessee $49,660Michigan $49,490Rhode Island $49,320Georgia $49,180Alabama $48,790Wyoming $48,690North Carolina $48,230Connecticut $47,960Nevada $47,920Arizona $47,880South Carolina $47,550Texas $47,320Kansas $47,170Montana $47,140Arkansas $47,130Louisiana $47,050Iowa $47,000West Virginia $46,620Florida $45,880Mississippi $45,660Oklahoma $44,950New Mexico $43,960
Working as Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in South Dakota
Nationally, about 203,000 people work as Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($43,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance make in South Dakota?
The median Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary in South Dakota is $43,920 per year, or about $21.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,510 at the entry level to $55,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance about 13% less than the national median of $50,340. South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,920 a year. About 860 Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.