South Dakota Median
$53,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $58,940
State Rank
#29 of 49
1,490 employed here
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in South Dakota?
Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Dakota take home a median of $53,040 annually — roughly $25.50 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $58,940.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $43,240 while the top 10% make $66,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,110 and $59,140 a year.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,240 | $20.79 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,110 | $23.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,140 | $28.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,390 | $31.92 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 29th out of 49 states and territories for Correctional Officers and Jailers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in other states
California $96,370New Jersey $94,770Massachusetts $86,310Oregon $83,690Washington $79,460Illinois $79,190New York $76,820Nevada $76,490Wisconsin $73,470Alaska $71,360Hawaii $69,570Utah $67,290Minnesota $66,040Delaware $65,880Connecticut $64,750Maryland $64,250Michigan $64,020Pennsylvania $63,460Nebraska $63,380Colorado $62,140New Hampshire $61,360Ohio $59,370Kansas $56,120Arizona $54,970Wyoming $54,780Vermont $53,810Idaho $53,580Iowa $53,040West Virginia $52,890Maine $52,730Texas $52,670North Dakota $52,460Tennessee $50,940North Carolina $50,550Virginia $50,140Florida $49,710Montana $49,180Indiana $48,340New Mexico $47,940South Carolina $47,890Georgia $47,520Alabama $46,660Oklahoma $45,690Missouri $42,620Kentucky $42,310Arkansas $40,330Louisiana $39,850Mississippi $38,720
Working as Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 381,000 people work as Correctional Officers and Jailers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($53,040) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in South Dakota?
The median Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Dakota is $53,040 per year, or about $25.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,240 at the entry level to $66,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Correctional Officers and Jailers about 10% less than the national median of $58,940. South Dakota ranks 29th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Correctional Officers and Jailers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,040 a year. About 1,490 Correctional Officers and Jailers are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Correctional Officers and Jailers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.