South Dakota Median
$60,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $76,210
State Rank
#38 of 51
2,000 employed here
How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in South Dakota?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in South Dakota take home a median of $60,740 annually — roughly $29.20 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $76,210.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,540 while the top 10% make $91,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,330 and $72,000 a year.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,540 | $22.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $52,330 | $25.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,740 | $29.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,000 | $34.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,900 | $44.18 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other states
California $118,880Washington $102,080Illinois $100,520Alaska $99,130Colorado $97,350Delaware $92,970New York $92,790New Jersey $92,610District of Columbia $88,650Oregon $88,140Pennsylvania $85,470Hawaii $83,820Minnesota $83,360Connecticut $82,170Massachusetts $78,940Arizona $78,880Nevada $78,140Wisconsin $78,090Maryland $77,970Utah $77,310Rhode Island $77,230Ohio $77,020Texas $75,900Nebraska $74,620North Dakota $74,500Florida $74,470Iowa $74,470Michigan $73,730Indiana $73,370New Hampshire $71,640Montana $70,050New Mexico $69,180Vermont $68,910Maine $67,050Idaho $66,990Wyoming $66,140Virginia $65,870Kentucky $60,490Oklahoma $59,700Missouri $59,460North Carolina $59,300Tennessee $59,280Kansas $59,230Georgia $58,120South Carolina $58,070West Virginia $56,960Alabama $51,270Louisiana $48,380Arkansas $47,670Mississippi $46,140
Working as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 671,000 people work as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 ($60,740) 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make in South Dakota?
The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in South Dakota is $60,740 per year, or about $29.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,540 at the entry level to $91,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers about 20% less than the national median of $76,210. South Dakota ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,740 a year. About 2,000 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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.