Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $38,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $38,942/year (≈ $18.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $42,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For emergency medical technicians in Sioux Falls, SD, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $38,942, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $47,058, which marks a deviation of 17.25%. The salary range for this role is estimated to be between $37,397 at the 10th percentile and $51,280 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a wide variation in compensation based on factors like employer type and experience levels. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating that the local market dynamics favor municipal fire departments, particularly for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, over private ambulance services, which tend to offer lower wages. In a sector where competitive pay matters greatly, understanding these salary trends is critical for prospective EMTs and those seeking further pay opportunities in Sioux Falls.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,397 | $17.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,672 | $18.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,942 | $18.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,106 | $22.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,280 | $24.66 |
Median Salary Position
17.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,883 (2026 est.). At $38,942, the local median is 17.25% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Sioux Falls Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $38,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $43,657 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -17.25% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $38,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 10.80% below the South Dakota state average of $43,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $38,942 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,280
2025 BLS Actual
$36,800
2026 Current Est.
$38,942
2021–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Sioux Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,208 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.7% from $29,280 (2021) to $36,800 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,928 (40.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,397 – $37,672 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,672 – $38,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,942 – $46,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,106 – $51,280 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, there are approximately 120 emergency medical technicians currently employed, reflecting a robust local job market that anticipates a growth rate of 5.82% annually over the next several years. With a cost of living index of 90.631, EMT salaries have a slightly diminished purchasing power, necessitating strategic career planning for those entering the field. While private ambulance and EMS companies, such as AMR and Falck, may not provide the highest compensation, municipal fire departments offer better pay due to established union contracts. Moreover, opportunities in specialized roles, like industrial or oil-field medics, can significantly enhance earnings, with some positions offering up to $70 per hour. To maximize their earnings, EMTs in Sioux Falls should consider pursuing advanced training and certification, such as the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, while also seeking overtime shifts or tactical assignments that command additional pay. Establishing a strong dialogue with potential employers during hiring processes can also help negotiate better salaries within this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,800 for emergency medical techniciansin the Sioux Falls metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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