Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Rapid City, SD
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $65,620 a year ($31.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,270 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 8% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $60,740. There are 5.1 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| 25th percentile | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Median | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| 75th percentile | $71,620 | $34.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| Average (mean) | $66,210 | $31.83 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers 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 | $5,468.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,734.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,523.85 |
| Weekly | $1,261.92 |
| Hourly | $31.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,620 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.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,940 | 220 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $77,440 | 500 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. 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 police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $65,620 a year, or $31.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $79,270 a year. The top 25% earn $71,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,980 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $57,300 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 370 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.