Police Officer Salary in Mitchell, SD: $69,383 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Mitchell, SD earns a median $69,383/year (≈ $33.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Mitchell's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $74,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, police officer salaries in Mitchell, South Dakota, will feature a median annual pay of $69,383, which is significantly lower than the national median of $78,542. The projected salary range for officers will be from $44,829 at the tenth percentile to $97,773 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the financial landscape of law enforcement in Mitchell. Although the median salary might trail the national average, the local job market remains competitive, reflecting unique regional factors impacting police officer compensation.
About the Mitchell Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,829 | $21.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,277 | $26.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,383 | $33.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,985 | $41.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,773 | $47.01 |
Median Salary Position
11.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mitchell
In Mitchell, SD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,944 (2026 est.). At $69,383, the local median is 11.66% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mitchell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mitchell Police Officer Pay Compares
Mitchell median: $69,383/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mitchell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $72,881 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -11.66% less |
Police Officers in Mitchell, SD earn a median of $69,383 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.80% below the South Dakota state average of $72,881.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mitchell has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mitchell, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $69,383 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,766 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,786
2025 BLS Actual
$67,323
2026 Current Est.
$69,383
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Mitchell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,786 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,118 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,383 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,506 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mitchell metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,786 (2019) to $67,323 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,720 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mitchell 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,829 – $54,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,277 – $69,383 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,383 – $85,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,985 – $97,773 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Mitchell
In a city like Mitchell, where only six police officers are currently employed, the cost of living index stands at 92.8, indicating a more affordable environment than many urban centers. This index enhances the take-home purchasing power of officers despite the lower salaries compared to national figures. Among law enforcement employers, municipal police departments typically offer the most competitive pay, though county sheriff's offices can present strong options as well. The variation in salaries depends on agency type, overtime structures, special unit assignments, and incentives tied to education and experience. For maximizing earnings in this market, prospective officers should focus on gaining additional certifications and consider seeking roles in specialized units or agencies that offer better compensation packages, including future federal opportunities that can provide substantial retirement benefits through favorable pension structures.
More salary data for Mitchell, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Mitchell, SD in 2026?
Is Mitchell, SD a good place to work as a police officer?
Can police officers make $100K in Mitchell?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted police officer salary in Mitchell?
How much does a police officer make per hour in Mitchell?
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,323 for police officersin the Mitchell metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mitchell 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