South Dakota Median
$36,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $44,470
State Rank
#44 of 51
600 employed here
How much does an Emergency Medical Technician make in South Dakota?
An Emergency Medical Technician working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $36,800 per year, or about $17.69 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $44,470 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $31,130 while the top 10% make $48,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,780 and $43,570 a year.
Emergency Medical Technician salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,130 | $14.97 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,780 | $16.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,800 | $17.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $43,570 | $20.95 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,460 | $23.30 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Emergency Medical Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other states
Hawaii $66,410Alaska $57,440New Jersey $53,610Washington $52,690Rhode Island $51,290Connecticut $50,640Massachusetts $50,230Oregon $49,270New York $48,400Maryland $48,100Minnesota $48,090Wyoming $47,070Delaware $46,790New Hampshire $46,790District of Columbia $46,650California $46,380Maine $46,340Colorado $45,750Vermont $45,600Georgia $45,550Virginia $45,420North Carolina $44,250Pennsylvania $43,310Wisconsin $43,060Indiana $42,740Illinois $42,260Missouri $42,160Nebraska $41,710Iowa $40,660South Carolina $40,370Tennessee $40,330Ohio $40,220Florida $39,870Michigan $39,870North Dakota $39,670Arizona $39,500Utah $38,930Idaho $38,840Alabama $37,810Nevada $37,560New Mexico $37,550Texas $37,260Kentucky $36,800Mississippi $36,630Arkansas $36,230Montana $36,140Louisiana $35,870Kansas $35,780West Virginia $34,360Oklahoma $34,170
Working as an Emergency Medical Technician in South Dakota
Nationally, about 181,000 people work as Emergency Medical Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($36,800) 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 does an Emergency Medical Technician make in South Dakota?
The median Emergency Medical Technician salary in South Dakota is $36,800 per year, or about $17.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,130 at the entry level to $48,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Emergency Medical Technicians about 17% less than the national median of $44,470. South Dakota ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Emergency Medical Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,800 a year. About 600 Emergency Medical Technicians 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 Emergency Medical Technician 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.