EMT Salary in South Dakota (2026)
$17.69 per hour · take-home ≈ $31,749/year ($2,646/month) for a single filer
South Dakota ranks 44th of 51 states for EMT pay, with a median about 16% below the national average. Of the 600 EMT jobs BLS counts in South Dakota, the typical worker earns $36,800 a year — though pay ranges from $31,130 for newcomers to $48,460 at the top.
EMT pay range in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $31,130 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $34,780 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $36,800 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $43,570 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $48,460 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 600 EMT jobs in South Dakota (occupation code 29-2042, “Emergency Medical Technicians”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Dakota
A median EMT salary of $36,800 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in South Dakota), a single filer keeps about $31,749 — an effective tax rate of 13.7%.
| Gross (median) | $36,800 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,236 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,815 |
| South Dakota state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $31,749 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,646 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Dakota paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a EMT make in South Dakota?
- The median EMT salary in South Dakota is $36,800 per year ($17.69 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $34,780 and $43,570.
- What is the take-home pay for a EMT in South Dakota?
- On the median salary of $36,800, a single filer in South Dakota takes home about $31,749 per year ($2,646 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 13.7%.
- How many EMT jobs are there in South Dakota?
- BLS counts 600 EMT jobs in South Dakota in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for EMTs
Other salaries in South Dakota
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified South Dakota state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for South Dakota.