Police Officer Salary in South Dakota: $74,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $74,342/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,110 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($77,440), Watertown ($68,003), Yankton ($67,982).
In South Dakota, police officer salaries are projected to average $74,342 in 2026, which is 5.3% below the national median of $78,542. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Sioux Falls offering the highest salary at $79,810, while Huron provides the lowest at $67,218. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including population size, crime rates, and city budgets. The state has specific licensing requirements that must be met for police officers, including completion of a government-approved training program. Scope of practice laws also define the roles and responsibilities, influencing salary structures. Additionally, the demand for police officers is driven by growth in several metropolitan areas, where the projected annual compound growth rate stands at 3.06%. The cities with the highest projected salaries beyond Sioux Falls include Watertown at $70,084, Yankton at $70,062, Spearfish at $69,887, and Mitchell at $69,383. With a total of 915 police officers employed statewide, the job market appears stable, indicating opportunities for those entering the profession in South Dakota.
South Dakota Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $42,706 (lowest entry-level) to $100,391 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota police officers earn 5.35% less than the national median ($-4,200/year difference).
South Dakota Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in South Dakota range from $55,352 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,273 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,342. The South Dakota median is $4,200 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $35.74/hr. Approximately 915 police officers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,942
2025 BLS Actual
$72,135
2026 Current Est.
$74,342
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,942 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,553 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,854 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,539 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 28.9% from $55,942 (2019) to $72,135 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,675 (36.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $67,218 |
| Vermillion | $67,322 |
| Brookings | $67,338 |
| Rapid City | $67,628 |
| Pierre | $68,478 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $79,810 | 90.631 | $88,060 |
| Rapid City | $67,628 | 89.16 | $75,850 |
| Watertown | $70,084 | 92.8 | $75,522 |
| Yankton | $70,062 | 92.8 | $75,498 |
| Spearfish | $69,887 | 92.8 | $75,309 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,352 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,342 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,273 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $79,810 |
| 2 | Watertown | $70,084 |
| 3 | Yankton | $70,062 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $69,887 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $69,383 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $69,267 |
| 7 | Pierre | $68,478 |
| 8 | Rapid City | $67,628 |
| 9 | Brookings | $67,338 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $67,322 |
| 11 | Huron | $67,218 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in South Dakota?
How many police officers are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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