Police Officer Hourly Pay in Mitchell, SD: $33.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Mitchell, SD runs $33.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,383 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Mitchell's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,634 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mitchell, South Dakota, police officers can expect a median hourly pay of $33.36, which falls below the national median of $37.76. This difference may influence current officers considering part-time work or per-diem positions in this field. Local police officers typically operate in various environments such as patrol vehicles, police stations, and courtroom settings. In terms of pay range, entry-level positions start at approximately $21.55 per hour, while more experienced officers can earn up to $47.01 per hour. Moreover, the hourly wages presented here are derived from annual salary estimates, which suggest that opportunities for advancement can yield increased earnings in long-term service, reflecting a broader trend in law enforcement compensation structures.
About the Mitchell 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) | $21.55 | $172.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.09 | $208.76 |
| Median (P50) | $33.36 | $266.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.34 | $330.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.01 | $376.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mitchell
Based on $33.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.36/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mitchell, SD can expect to earn approximately $69,390 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,033. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mitchell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mitchell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,334.42 | $5,782 | $69,390 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $800.65 | $3,469 | $41,634 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $533.77 | $2,313 | $27,756 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Mitchell) | $33.36 |
| 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 Mitchell, SD earn a median of $69,383 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.80% below the South Dakota state average of $72,881.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.36/hr = $41,634/year (purchasing power: $44,864).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,390/year (purchasing power: $74,774).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Mitchell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Mitchell grew 20.7% from $26.82/hr (2019) to $32.37/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.38/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 Mitchell 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 Mitchell
When considering part-time work, a police officer working three days a week, which amounts to around 24 hours, would take home a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time counterparts, illustrating that commitment greatly impacts overall financial stability. The nature of police work often includes mandatory overtime for court appearances and special assignments, with overtime pay possibly increasing base earnings by 20-50%. Additionally, temporary positions or extra-duty details can provide another income stream, with rates ranging from $35 to $75 per hour in contingent roles. In Mitchell, police officers find that salaries differ based on their employer type, whether it's a municipal department, state patrol, or federal agency. This variance forces some to balance higher hourly pay against benefits such as health insurance, prompting strategic negotiations that can optimize earnings while securing essential protections for themselves and their families.
More salary data for Mitchell, 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 Mitchell. 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 Mitchell 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