Police Officer Hourly Pay in Aberdeen, SD: $33.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Aberdeen, SD runs $33.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,267 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Aberdeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,557 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, police officer hourly pay in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is projected to be $33.30, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $37.76. This hourly rate is essential for individuals considering part-time roles; for instance, a police officer working three days a week could earn around $1,600 monthly, reflecting shifts typically spent in patrol vehicles, police reporting duties, or special unit operations like K-9 interactions. The hourly wage spectrum ranges from $21.79 at the entry-level for new recruits to $48.26 for experienced officers taking on higher responsibilities or special assignments. Such figures are derived from BLS data and offer insight into the financial realities officers face in this specific local market.
About the Aberdeen Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.79 | $174.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.33 | $210.65 |
| Median (P50) | $33.30 | $266.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.63 | $341.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.26 | $386.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aberdeen
Based on $33.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.30/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aberdeen, SD can expect to earn approximately $69,261 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,958. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aberdeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aberdeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,331.95 | $5,772 | $69,261 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $799.17 | $3,463 | $41,557 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.78 | $2,309 | $27,705 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Aberdeen) | $33.30 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Aberdeen, SD earn a median of $69,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.81% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.00% below the South Dakota state average of $72,912.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.30/hr = $41,557/year (purchasing power: $44,781).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,261/year (purchasing power: $74,635).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Aberdeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Aberdeen grew 20.7% from $26.77/hr (2019) to $32.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.32/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aberdeen 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Aberdeen
For those contemplating a part-time career in law enforcement, working just three days a week results in a considerably lower annual income compared to full-time counterparts. Part-time officers typically may take home about $19,200 annually versus a full-time officer’s earnings nearing $69,267. Additionally, with police work commonly requiring overtime for court appearances and special details, those in the field often find their base salary supplemented by pay incentives ranging between 20% to 50%. Extra-duty assignments, frequently available after hours, can yield anywhere from $35 to $75 per hour. It's important to note that various employer types within Aberdeen may offer different hourly rates: municipal departments, county sheriff's offices, and federal law enforcement have distinct pay structures. This variation can impact the overall compensation package, considering benefits like health insurance versus higher pay without benefits. Negotiating these rates involves understanding the unique dynamics of the local market and the specific offerings of individual employers in SD.
More salary data for Aberdeen, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
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 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Aberdeen. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aberdeen is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov