Security Guards Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$32,190
- 50th Percentile — Median$37,150
- 75th Percentile — Senior$45,190
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$59,840
Half of Security Guards in South Dakota earn more than $37,150. The top 10% make $59,840 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,060.
Security Guards in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 35th of 51 states for Security Guards pay, at $40,250 per year (5.2% below the U.S. average of $42,470).
- 1,460 people work as Security Guards in South Dakota — 0.1% of all U.S. Security Guards jobs.
- Location quotient 0.39: Security Guards jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,060; the top 10% earn over $59,840.
- Hourly equivalent: $19.35 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,720.
- Among public safety jobs in South Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($97,350).
Security Guards Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Security Guards here earn $40,250 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $40,250 is roughly equivalent to $46,264 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($40,660), Michigan ($40,640), Kansas ($40,350) are the closest alternatives for Security Guards weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $97,350/yr South Dakota +141.9% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $91,060/yr South Dakota +126.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $81,140/yr South Dakota +101.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $64,320/yr South Dakota +59.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $53,260/yr South Dakota +32.3% vs this role
- Firefighters $51,180/yr South Dakota +27.2% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $44,210/yr South Dakota +9.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Security Guards salary in South Dakota?
The average Security Guards salary in South Dakota is $40,250 per year (median $37,150), which is 5.2% below the national average of $42,470.
How does South Dakota rank for Security Guards pay?
South Dakota ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,720/yr).
How much do entry-level Security Guards make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Security Guards in South Dakota earn about $30,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,190.
How much do Security Guards make per hour in South Dakota?
About $19.35 per hour, based on the $40,250 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Security Guards work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 1,460 Security Guards jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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