verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Firefighter Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$48,160/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.15/hr
▼ 19% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
610
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$54,365 #29 of 50

Firefighter pay in South Dakota, explained

Firefighters in South Dakota earn a median of $48,160 per year ($23.15 per hour), which is 19% below the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $39,240, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $61,420. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $48,160 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $48,160 is worth about $54,365 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #29 for real pay (vs #34 on the sticker number).

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Firefighter pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,240
$18.87/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$48,160
$23.15/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$61,420
$29.53/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $48,160 $54,365
Nebraska $61,040 $67,745 −$12,880
Montana $59,310 $62,666 −$11,150
Wyoming $58,090 $62,671 −$9,930
Iowa $55,810 $63,592 −$7,650
North Dakota $55,080 $61,916 −$6,920
Minnesota $38,110 $38,643 +$10,050

Firefighter in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in South Dakota?

Firefighters in South Dakota earn a median of $48,160 per year ($23.15 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay firefighters well?

At $48,160, South Dakota pays 19% below the national median for firefighters. An estimated 610 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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