Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in South Dakota
Correctional Officers and Jailers in South Dakota earn a median of $53,040 a year ($25.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,390 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $58,940. South Dakota ranks 29th of 49 states for correctional officers and jailers pay. There are 3.3 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| 25th percentile | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Median | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| 75th percentile | $59,140 | $28.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Average (mean) | $53,260 | $25.61 |
Half of correctional officers and jailers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,420 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,210 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,040 |
| Weekly | $1,020 |
| Hourly | $25.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $54,080 | 450 |
| Rapid City, SD | $53,040 | 240 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,510 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $96,370 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 |
| Oregon | $83,690 |
| Washington | $79,460 |
| Illinois | $79,190 |
| New York | $76,820 |
| Nevada | $76,490 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 |
| Alaska | $71,360 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $68,810 | $33.08 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a correctional officers and jailers make in South Dakota?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in South Dakota is $53,040 a year, or $25.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in South Dakota earn at least $66,390 a year. The top 25% earn $59,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,240 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $48,110 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in South Dakota?
About 1,490 correctional officers and jailers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.