Police Officer Hourly Pay in Pierre, SD: $32.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Pierre, SD runs $32.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,478 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Pierre's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,081 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pierre, South Dakota, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $32.92, which falls short of the national median of $37.76. This gap highlights the financial realities for officers working in various capacities, including part-time positions or per-diem assignments, which may include time spent in patrol vehicles, court testimonies, or special operations. The hourly pay range in Pierre varies significantly; entry-level officers can expect to earn around $20.53, while those at the top of the field can reach up to $47.54 per hour according to estimates derived from annual salary data. This variance reflects both the responsibilities taken on and the experience level of the officers, emphasizing the diverse pay structure that exists within the local law enforcement community.
About the Pierre 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) | $20.53 | $164.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.25 | $217.99 |
| Median (P50) | $32.92 | $263.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.51 | $332.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.54 | $380.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pierre
Based on $32.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.92/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pierre, SD can expect to earn approximately $68,468 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,501. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pierre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pierre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,316.69 | $5,706 | $68,468 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $790.02 | $3,423 | $41,081 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $526.68 | $2,282 | $27,387 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Pierre) | $32.92 |
| 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 Pierre, SD earn a median of $68,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $72,849.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.92/hr = $41,081/year (purchasing power: $44,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,468/year (purchasing power: $73,780).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Pierre grew 20.7% from $26.47/hr (2019) to $31.94/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.92/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 Pierre 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 Pierre
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a police officer working three days a week at this hourly rate can anticipate a significantly lower annual earnings figure compared to full-time employees who typically receive benefits and regular overtime. The per-diem reality for police officers in Pierre often involves working specialized assignments that can command higher rates of $35 to $75 per hour, especially for off-duty jobs like security detail or construction site flagging. Different employers such as municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, or state law enforcement agencies in SD often have differing hourly pay scales, with federal entities generally providing higher compensation. Additionally, officers must weigh the benefits of consistent healthcare coverage against the trade-offs of higher hourly pay without the same level of job security or benefits. When negotiating pay, knowing the specifics of the hiring agency's salary structure and the potential for increased hourly earnings through overtime and secondary employment can enhance an officer's financial position in Pierre.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Pierre in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Pierre?
Are police officers in Pierre paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Pierre?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Pierre?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 Pierre. 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 Pierre 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