Police Officer Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $38.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $38.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,810 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,885 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, police officer hourly pay stands at a competitive $38.37, slightly exceeding the national average of $37.76. This hourly rate offers solid earning potential for both part-time and per-diem officers. Those working three days a week in various capacities—whether patrolling neighborhoods, completing paperwork in police stations, or providing testimony in court—can enjoy a flexible work schedule tailored to their lifestyle. The hourly earnings range from $28.41 at the lower end to $47.03 for the most experienced officers, positioning Sioux Falls as a more lucrative option within the region when considering the local cost of living index of 90.631. This data is derived from the most recent projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, anticipated to hold true in 2026.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.41 | $227.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.21 | $265.65 |
| Median (P50) | $38.37 | $306.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.03 | $376.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.03 | $376.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $38.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.37/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $79,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,043. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,534.77 | $6,651 | $79,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.86 | $3,990 | $47,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.91 | $2,660 | $31,923 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Sioux Falls) | $38.37 |
| 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 Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $79,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 9.50% above the South Dakota state average of $72,886.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.37/hr = $47,885/year (purchasing power: $52,835).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,808/year (purchasing power: $88,058).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Sioux Falls grew 25.0% from $29.79/hr (2019) to $37.23/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.54/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 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 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 Sioux Falls
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time officers reveals a considerably different financial outlook. A police officer working three days a week can expect to take home around $49,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. While the freedom of part-time work is appealing, law enforcement often mandates overtime, particularly for court appearances and special duties, which can yield additional pay equal to 20-50% more than their regular base rate. For those in Sioux Falls, the range of employment types—from municipal police to federal law enforcement—produces varied hourly rates, reflecting different funding sources and departmental budgets. Some officers opt for positions offering better health insurance despite lower hourly rates, weighing the trade-off between short-term pay and long-term benefits. When negotiating pay, especially for per-diem roles that might offer $35-$75 for extra-duty assignments, it’s strategic to research specific departmental pay scales and emphasize skills acquired in POST training to maximize compensation.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for police officers in Sioux Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time police officers make in Sioux Falls?
Are police officers in Sioux Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time police officer make per year in Sioux Falls?
Do police officers earn more per hour working part-time in Sioux Falls?
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 Sioux Falls. 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, 7-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 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