How Much Do Firefighters Make in South Dakota? 2026 Salary Data

Nationally, firefighters make $63,630 a year on average. See how much firefighters make in every state, ranked.

If you're considering a career in firefighting in South Dakota, one of the first questions you probably have is about pay. How much do firefighters actually make in South Dakota? Is it enough to support a family? And how does it compare to what firefighters earn in other states?

Right now, no South Dakota departments have a firefighter opening with a listed yearly salary on FireJobs (updated Oct 7, 2026). For the full picture, we pair that with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey (May 2025, published 2026), the official average pay for every firefighter in South Dakota. Let's break it all down.

The average firefighter salary in South Dakota is $51,180 per year (BLS, May 2025, published 2026), which is below the national average of $63,630. South Dakota ranks #35 out of 50 states for firefighter pay. Entry level firefighters can expect to earn around $39,240, while the most experienced firefighters earn up to $61,420 annually.

What Departments Are Posting Now (FireJobs, as of October 2026)

Right now there are no current entry level firefighter postings in South Dakota on FireJobs that list a yearly salary. Departments hire on their own schedules, so this changes week to week. See every current firefighter opening in South Dakota.

These are advertised starting salaries in current full time, entry level firefighter job postings, not averages of what firefighters earn. Posted pay often excludes overtime and incentives, and the BLS figures below include experienced firefighters, so the two numbers measure different things.

Live postings: FireJobs, updated Oct 7, 2026

How Much Do Firefighters Make in South Dakota?

Here are the key numbers for firefighters in South Dakota, straight from the BLS:

Metric	South Dakota	National
Average (mean) annual salary	$51,180	$63,630
Median annual salary	$48,160	$59,280
Entry level (10th percentile)	$39,240	$34,910
Top earners (90th percentile)	$61,420	$101,040
Firefighters employed	610	,

Federal data: BLS, May 2025 (published 2026)

The median is often the more useful number. Half of South Dakota firefighters earn more than $48,160 and half earn less. The average gets pulled around by a small number of very high earners in the biggest departments.

Firefighter Salary Breakdown in South Dakota

Entry level: Around $39,240. This is what a probationary firefighter at a smaller or rural department can expect in year one.
Mid career: Around $48,160. Most firefighters with five to ten years on the job land in this range.
Experienced / senior: Up to $61,420 and beyond. Top step firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants at the largest departments, especially with overtime and paramedic pay, sit here.

Sioux Falls and Rapid City are the only large career departments in South Dakota. Nearly everywhere else is volunteer, and career openings are limited.

South Dakota vs. National Average

At $51,180, the average South Dakota firefighter earns about $12,450 (20%) less than the national average of $63,630. That puts South Dakota at #35 of 50 states. For comparison, California leads the country at $95,090 and the lowest paying state comes in at $36,610.

South Dakota has a low cost of living and no state income tax, which makes a modest salary go further.

Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay in South Dakota

Department size and location. Big city departments pay the most. The largest employers are in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Brookings.
Union representation. South Dakota is a right to work state with limited bargaining, so pay is set by the two city governments.
Certifications. Paramedic certification is the single biggest pay bump for most firefighters, often adding $5,000 to $15,000 a year. Hazmat, technical rescue, and driver/operator certifications add more.
Overtime. Most departments run 24 hour shifts, and overtime, holiday pay, and call back pay can add 10% to 30% on top of base salary.
Rank. Promotion to engineer, lieutenant, captain, and chief officer each brings a meaningful raise. Chief officers in South Dakota's large departments earn well into six figures.

How to Become a Firefighter in South Dakota

The basic path is the same everywhere: meet the age and education requirements, pass a written test and the CPAT physical ability test, clear a background check and medical exam, and complete a fire academy. Many South Dakota departments strongly prefer or require EMT certification, and paramedic certification makes you a much stronger candidate.

We have a full step by step guide: How to Become a Firefighter in South Dakota.

Is Being a Firefighter in South Dakota Worth It?

Pay is only part of the picture. Firefighters in South Dakota typically get a defined benefit pension, employer paid health insurance, and a schedule that leaves plenty of days off for family or a second job. Against that you have to weigh the physical toll, the exposure to trauma, and the long term health risks that come with the job. For most people who want this career, the answer is still yes. Just go in with realistic numbers.

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