Police Officer Hourly Pay in Watertown, SD: $33.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Watertown, SD runs $33.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,046 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, SD, the police officer hourly pay stands at $33.69, which is notably lower than the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate provides insight into the financial circumstances faced by part-time officers, especially those working three days a week, who can expect to gain versatile experience across various settings such as patrol duties, report writing, or assisting in special operations. While the hourly range for starting positions begins at $22.35, seasoned officers can earn up to $48.13, demonstrating a broad spectrum of opportunity where commitment and tenure play vital roles. Such earnings from hourly shifts are attractive in terms of stability, but they are also shaped by the department's structure and funding in this relatively small historical city.
About the Watertown 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) | $22.35 | $178.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.79 | $214.28 |
| Median (P50) | $33.69 | $269.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.16 | $337.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.13 | $385.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $33.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.69/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, SD can expect to earn approximately $70,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,428. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,347.61 | $5,840 | $70,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $808.57 | $3,504 | $42,046 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.05 | $2,336 | $28,030 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Watertown) | $33.69 |
| 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 Watertown, SD earn a median of $70,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $72,852.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.69/hr = $42,046/year (purchasing power: $45,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,076/year (purchasing power: $75,513).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Watertown grew 20.7% from $27.09/hr (2019) to $32.69/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.72/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
The part-time earning potential in Watertown can be quite significant when looked at over time. For instance, a police officer working on a three-day, 24-hour per week schedule can expect to earn a lower annual figure compared to full-time roles but may enjoy a more flexible work-life balance. Additionally, per-diem police officer pay in Watertown often falls into various ranges depending on the assignment, with officers who participate in overtime or court appearances earning 1.5 times their base rate. Different employer types also influence pay scales; municipal departments may offer less than federal agencies such as the FBI or DEA, which have a higher pay scale. Many officers face decisions about accepting lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Overall, understanding the negotiating landscape regarding both hourly pay and comprehensive benefits can put Watertown officers in a stronger position to maximize their compensation based on their career aspirations.
More salary data for Watertown, 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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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