Police Officer Salary in Pierre, SD: $68,478 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Pierre, SD earns a median $68,478/year (≈ $32.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $73,791 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, projected police officer salaries in Pierre, South Dakota, yield a median of $68,478, representing an increase in the competitive landscape for local law enforcement. The annual salary range spans from $42,706 at the lower tenth percentile to $98,887 at the ninetieth percentile, suggesting a significant variance in compensation based on experience, role, and department. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions. While the median in Pierre reflects the region’s cost of living, it still falls approximately 12.81% below the national median of $78,542 for police officer pay. This disparity in earnings highlights the need for prospective and current officers in Pierre to understand the broader implications of their salary structure when considering their long-term career trajectories.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,706 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,688 | $27.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,478 | $32.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,343 | $41.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,887 | $47.54 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,181 (2026 est.). At $68,478, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Police Officer Pay Compares
Pierre median: $68,478/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $72,849 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -12.81% less |
Police Officers in Pierre, SD earn a median of $68,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $72,849.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre 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.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $68,478 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,791 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,058
2025 BLS Actual
$66,445
2026 Current Est.
$68,478
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,445 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,478 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $55,058 (2019) to $66,445 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,516 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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) | $42,706 – $56,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,688 – $68,478 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,478 – $86,343 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,343 – $98,887 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Pierre
In terms of local employment, Pierre's law enforcement community is relatively small, with only four officers currently employed. The area's cost of living index sits at 92.8, meaning that take-home purchasing power is slightly above the national average, making a local salary stretch further than it might in higher-cost urban centers. Among various employers, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive compensation, though positions with federal law enforcement agencies tend to provide the highest salaries. The disparity in police officer pay in Pierre could be attributed to factors such as agency type, union contracts, shift differentials, and educational stipends, all of which influence overall take-home pay. Officers looking to maximize their earnings may focus on pursuing specialized assignments, additional training, and understanding their pensions—particularly the multiplier formula—which can be impactful in retirement planning. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for those considering a career in law enforcement within Pierre, SD.
More salary data for Pierre, 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
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 $66,445 for police officersin the Pierre 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 Pierre 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