Police Officer Salary in Spearfish, SD: $69,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Spearfish, SD earns a median $69,887/year (≈ $33.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $75,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the police officer salary in Spearfish is projected to reach a median annual figure of $69,887, illustrating a competitive local compensation landscape that lags slightly behind the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers in the area varies significantly, with the lowest earners making about $43,860 and the top-tier professionals reaching $97,054. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, including cost of living indices. For police officers in Spearfish, mandatory court appearances and special details can significantly increase earnings through overtime, impacting overall pay and showcasing the economic value of such additional hours in a smaller community where police personnel is limited.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,055 | $27.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,887 | $33.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,725 | $41.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,054 | $46.67 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,194 (2026 est.). At $69,887, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spearfish Police Officer Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $69,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $72,875 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -11.02% less |
Police Officers in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $69,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $72,875.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $69,887 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,309 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,191
2025 BLS Actual
$67,812
2026 Current Est.
$69,887
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,939 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $56,191 (2019) to $67,812 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,835 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $43,860 – $58,055 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,055 – $69,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,887 – $85,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,725 – $97,054 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Spearfish
While there are currently five employed police officers in Spearfish, the cost of living index sits at 92.8, indicating that the purchasing power in the area is relatively strong despite the base salary being below national averages. Among local employers, municipal police departments generally offer the most competitive salaries, though options in federal law enforcement tend to provide higher compensation. Various factors contribute to the salary disparities, including differences in agency types, overtime structures, and specialized assignments, which can all significantly affect an officer's earnings. Strategies to maximize pay in Spearfish may include pursuing advanced training or educational opportunities that may warrant pay adjustments, as well as seeking specialized roles that offer higher stipends. Through careful consideration of these elements, officers can enhance their financial outlook within the regional landscape.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 $67,812 for police officersin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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