Police Officer Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $33.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Spearfish, SD runs $33.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,887 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officers in Spearfish, South Dakota, can expect a median hourly pay of $33.60, which is significantly lower than the national median of $37.76. For part-time officers working three days a week, this means their take-home pay could be around $26,827 annually based on a 24-hour work week. The hourly range for officers varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $21.09 and top earners reaching up to $46.67. This pay structure reflects the diversity of roles police officers take on, from responding to incidents in patrol vehicles and managing booking procedures in police stations to providing testimony in court and conducting field investigations as special units. The hourly rates reported here are derived from estimated annual salaries, which provide an essential framework for understanding compensation across different duties and assignments within law enforcement.
About the Spearfish 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) | $21.09 | $168.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.91 | $223.27 |
| Median (P50) | $33.60 | $268.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.21 | $329.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.67 | $373.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $33.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.60/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $69,883 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,317. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,343.90 | $5,824 | $69,883 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $806.34 | $3,494 | $41,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $537.56 | $2,329 | $27,953 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Spearfish) | $33.60 |
| 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 Spearfish, SD earn a median of $69,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $72,875.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.60/hr = $41,930/year (purchasing power: $45,183).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,883/year (purchasing power: $75,305).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Spearfish grew 20.7% from $27.01/hr (2019) to $32.60/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.63/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
Interestingly, part-time officers earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts when the opportunity for overtime is considered. With mandatory overtime prevalent in many police departments, especially for court appearances and extended shifts, some officers can see their total compensation increase by 20-50%. For those seeking per diem and extra-duty assignments, rates typically range from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on the specific task—such as event security or traffic control. In Spearfish, pay rates can also vary based on the type of employer, with municipal police departments generally offering competitive wages compared to federal agencies, which often provide higher salaries and additional benefits. However, some officers in Spearfish may opt for roles with lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance plans. When negotiating pay, understanding the local context, such as the presence of organized labor groups like FOP and NLEA, can empower officers to make informed decisions about employment options within the diverse landscape of law enforcement in SD.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 Spearfish. 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 Spearfish 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