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Firefighter Salary in South Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

a Firefighter pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $48,160/yr — 19% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotaranks #34 of 50 states by median pay.

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Firefighter.

Median salary
$48,160/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$46,730 – $59,800
National median
$59,280/yr
Employed in South Dakota
610

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in South Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
88.6
Nominal median
$48,160
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $54,357
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #29 of 50 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #34 on raw salary.

South Dakota levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do firefighter professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $48,160 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $46,730 and $59,800. That's 19% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for firefighter?

By raw pay, South Dakota ranks #34 of 50 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $54,357. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #29 of 50 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #34 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are firefighter professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 610 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Firefighter nationally — South Dakota pay is 19% below the national median. See the full a Firefighter career guide →

The verdict

Yes if you can get in — firefighting offers a strong pension, a unique schedule, deep camaraderie, and meaningful work, with no degree required. The catches are fierce competition for spots, real danger, and long-term health risks.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pension and benefits
  • Unique schedule (e.g., 24-on/48-off) enabling side work
  • Deep camaraderie and meaningful service
  • No degree required; paid academy
  • High job satisfaction for many

Cons

  • Extremely competitive to get hired
  • Real physical danger and injury risk
  • Long-term health risks (smoke, carcinogens)
  • Sleep disruption and emotional trauma exposure
  • Modest base pay in some departments

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Physically fit, service-driven people
  • Those who value schedule and camaraderie
  • Anyone willing to compete hard for a spot

✗ Probably not if…

  • People wanting predictable, low-risk work
  • Those unable to meet the physical demands

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Firefighter is worth it — titles link to the original threads.