South Dakota Median
$48,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#48 of 51
280 employed here
How much does a Paramedic make in South Dakota?
A Paramedic working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $48,830 per year, or about $23.48 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $60,600 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,950 while the top 10% make $58,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,710 and $51,490 a year.
Paramedic salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,950 | $14.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,710 | $20.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,830 | $23.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,490 | $24.75 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,380 | $28.07 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Paramedic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paramedic salary in other states
Washington $104,310New Jersey $86,630Hawaii $81,280District of Columbia $78,550Connecticut $77,480Minnesota $76,300Oregon $74,840California $74,590New York $73,200Alaska $71,860Maryland $66,660Massachusetts $66,340Utah $65,420Delaware $64,240New Hampshire $64,210Wyoming $64,040Colorado $63,910Rhode Island $63,550Maine $63,050North Dakota $62,320Pennsylvania $61,000Illinois $60,660Iowa $60,590Virginia $60,480Idaho $60,380Vermont $60,360Indiana $60,320Florida $60,140Wisconsin $59,710Nevada $59,280Missouri $59,180Arizona $58,600Tennessee $57,690Georgia $57,660Texas $57,500North Carolina $57,320Nebraska $56,230Louisiana $56,050New Mexico $55,530Mississippi $54,630South Carolina $53,550Michigan $52,080Ohio $51,300Kansas $51,020Montana $50,890Arkansas $50,310Kentucky $49,890Alabama $48,540West Virginia $48,460Oklahoma $46,790
Working as a Paramedic in South Dakota
Nationally, about 101,000 people work as Paramedics 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 ($48,830) 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 a Paramedic make in South Dakota?
The median Paramedic salary in South Dakota is $48,830 per year, or about $23.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,950 at the entry level to $58,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Paramedics about 19% less than the national median of $60,600. South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Paramedics?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,830 a year. About 280 Paramedics 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 Paramedic 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.