Police Officer Salary in Rapid City, SD: $67,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Rapid City, SD earns a median $67,628/year (≈ $32.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $75,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, police officers in Rapid City, South Dakota, can anticipate a median annual salary of $67,628. The pay range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $51,509 and top earners making up to $81,696. These projections are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. When compared nationally, the projected income for police officers in Rapid City falls short, as the national median is $78,542. This creates a notable gap for those considering careers in law enforcement in this region, particularly when evaluating the structural choices between federal, state, and municipal policing. With a workforce of 370 police officers, the local job market reflects a balance of opportunity amid these competitive salaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,509 | $24.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,053 | $28.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,628 | $32.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,812 | $35.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,696 | $39.28 |
Median Salary Position
13.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,187 (2026 est.). At $67,628, the local median is 13.9% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be above the median
How Rapid City Police Officer Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $67,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $72,875 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -13.90% less |
Police Officers in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $67,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 7.20% below the South Dakota state average of $72,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $67,628 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,330
2025 BLS Actual
$65,620
2026 Current Est.
$67,628
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 35.8% from $48,330 (2019) to $65,620 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,367 (44.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $51,509 – $59,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,053 – $67,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,628 – $73,812 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,812 – $81,696 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Rapid City
The cost of living in Rapid City, with an index of 89.16, suggests that police officer pay may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, allowing for a relatively comfortable living despite the lower overall salary levels. Among local law enforcement agencies, municipal police departments typically pay the most, followed by county sheriff's offices and state police, while federal roles, although less prevalent here, generally command higher salaries. Factors contributing to the range in compensation include agency type, special assignments like SWAT or detective roles, union-negotiated overtime structures, and educational incentives. Officers aiming to maximize their earnings might consider pursuing training and additional certifications that qualify them for higher-paying roles or specialties within the department, ensuring a strong financial standing in the local market.
More salary data for Rapid City, 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 $65,620 for police officersin the Rapid City 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
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