Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $20.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Rapid City, SD runs $20.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,039 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the projected median hourly pay for an emergency medical technician is $20.06, which is notably lower than the national median of $22.62. For part-time EMTs, often working three days a week, this hourly rate allows for a practical income while offering flexibility in their work-life balance. Per-diem emergency medical technicians, commonly employed in various settings like ambulance services, fire department supports, and medical tents at events, can vary in their earnings with entry-level positions starting at approximately $16.43, and top earners making up to $24.19 per hour according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. This range reflects the diverse nature of EMT roles in Rapid City, as these professionals provide critical care in both urban environments and remote work sites.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.43 | $131.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.62 | $140.95 |
| Median (P50) | $20.06 | $160.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.96 | $183.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.19 | $193.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $20.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.06/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $41,732 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,076. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $802.54 | $3,478 | $41,732 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $481.52 | $2,087 | $25,039 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $321.02 | $1,391 | $16,693 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Rapid City) | $20.06 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $41,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.31% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.40% below the South Dakota state average of $43,656.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.06/hr = $25,039/year (purchasing power: $28,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,732/year (purchasing power: $46,806).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.06/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rapid City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Rapid City grew 8.5% from $17.47/hr (2021) to $18.96/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Rapid City
Understanding part-time earning potential is essential for emergency medical technicians in Rapid City. An EMT working three shifts a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to take home around $25,000 annually, illustrating a significant difference compared to full-time earnings. For those opting for per-diem work, rates can fluctuate widely, with private firms typically compensating at $20-$32 per hour, while oil-field medics command $40-$70 per hour due to demand in remote areas. Employment types greatly influence pay, with private EMS companies often paying less than municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs usually enjoy significantly better wages due to union protections. The decision for EMTs to accept lower hourly rates for employment with benefits versus higher pay without health coverage is a crucial consideration. Negotiating effectively in Rapid City, including understanding market rates and focusing on total compensation packages, can empower these professionals to secure suitable agreements for their financial and health needs.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Rapid City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov