South Dakota ranks 34th of 50 states and D.C. for firefighters pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($93,490) by $45,970 — a 97% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $35,650 to $62,140 — a $26,490 spread, 60% tighter than the national $66,840 range.
Firefighters are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.55 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.82× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| 75th percentile | $54,390 | $26.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Mean (average) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $47,520 | n/a |
| Washington | $93,490 | +97% |
| New York | $88,380 | +86% |
| New Jersey | $87,660 | +84% |
| California | $83,400 | +76% |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 | +67% |
| Illinois | $79,080 | +66% |
| Connecticut | $77,660 | +63% |
| Colorado | $76,560 | +61% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,580 | 350 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | $47,650 | 1,740 |
| Dental Assistants | $47,680 | 1,240 |
| Community Health Workers | $47,300 | 70 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $47,130 | 540 |
| Chemical Technicians | $47,970 | 90 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Firefighters salary in South Dakota?
The mean firefighters salary in South Dakota is $48,500 per year. The median (middle) salary is $47,520 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Firefighters in South Dakota?
Entry-level firefighterss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $35,650 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $41,580 per year.
What is the highest Firefighters salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $62,140 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $54,390 per year.
How does the South Dakota Firefighters salary compare to the national average?
The median firefighters salary in South Dakota is $47,520, which is -20% below national average of $59,530.