Firefighter Salary in South Dakota
Based on 610+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$48,160
$23.15/hr
vs National Average
$57,551
-16.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$39K – $61K
610 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Firefighter in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,240 |
| 25th percentile | $46,730 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $48,160 |
| 75th percentile | $59,800 |
| 90th percentile | $61,420 |
Top-Paying Industries for Firefighter (U.S.)
Which industries pay Firefighters the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Firefighters in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $89,990 | 70 |
| Educational Services | $72,760 | 620 |
| Manufacturing | $71,490 | 590 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $71,190 | 110 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $60,050 | 323K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Firefighter in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,160 |
| 2026 (projected) | $49,605 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,160 | $57,551 |
| 2026 (projected) | $49,605 | $59,278 |
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $46,730 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $48,160 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $59,800 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $61,420 |
Firefighter Salary in Other States
Related Firefighter Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Firefighter ($48,160 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Firefighter | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officer in SD | $60,740 | +26.1% | $29.20/hr |
| Security Guard in SD | $37,150 | -22.9% | $17.86/hr |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker in SD | $48,100 | -0.1% | $23.13/hr |
| Computer User Support Specialist in SD | $48,260 | +0.2% | $23.20/hr |
| Graphic Designer in SD | $48,390 | +0.5% | $23.26/hr |
| Dental Assistant in SD | $47,900 | -0.5% | $23.03/hr |
| Social Worker in SD | $48,920 | +1.6% | $23.52/hr |
| Rehabilitation Counselor in SD | $49,350 | +2.5% | $23.73/hr |
| Kindergarten Teacher in SD | $49,410 | +2.6% | $23.75/hr |
| Property and Real Estate Manager in SD | $49,490 | +2.8% | $23.79/hr |
| Tutor in SD | $49,720 | +3.2% | $23.90/hr |
| Bookkeeper in SD | $46,340 | -3.8% | $22.28/hr |