South Dakota Median
$47,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $53,040
State Rank
#37 of 51
420 employed here
How much does a Public Safety Telecommunicator make in South Dakota?
Public Safety Telecommunicators in South Dakota take home a median of $47,900 annually — roughly $23.03 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $53,040.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $36,960 while the top 10% make $60,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,570 and $54,290 a year.
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,960 | $17.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,570 | $19.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $54,290 | $26.10 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,310 | $29.00 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for Public Safety Telecommunicator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in other states
California $80,120Washington $78,850Oregon $71,980Alaska $66,660Minnesota $66,550Colorado $63,520Connecticut $62,410Massachusetts $61,720New York $61,450Illinois $61,260Nevada $60,040Wisconsin $60,000North Dakota $59,940Vermont $59,470New Jersey $59,240District of Columbia $59,080Maryland $58,910Rhode Island $58,310New Hampshire $58,240Ohio $58,100Maine $57,250Hawaii $57,020Iowa $56,770Arizona $56,600Utah $54,120Michigan $53,310Delaware $53,140Idaho $51,780Wyoming $50,600Virginia $50,490Nebraska $50,270Florida $50,170Texas $50,040Pennsylvania $49,890New Mexico $49,060Indiana $49,050Montana $47,640Missouri $46,990North Carolina $46,550Tennessee $46,390Kentucky $45,670Kansas $45,110South Carolina $43,540Georgia $42,790West Virginia $40,490Oklahoma $39,890Alabama $38,960Louisiana $38,550Arkansas $38,240Mississippi $34,510
Working as a Public Safety Telecommunicator in South Dakota
Nationally, about 103,000 people work as Public Safety Telecommunicators 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 ($47,900) 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 Public Safety Telecommunicator make in South Dakota?
The median Public Safety Telecommunicator salary in South Dakota is $47,900 per year, or about $23.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,960 at the entry level to $60,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Public Safety Telecommunicators about 10% less than the national median of $53,040. South Dakota ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Public Safety Telecommunicators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,900 a year. About 420 Public Safety Telecommunicators 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 Public Safety Telecommunicator 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.