Security Guard salary in South Dakota
Security Guards in South Dakota earn a median of $37,150 a year ($17.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,840 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $38,020. South Dakota ranks 30th of 51 states for security guards pay. There are 3.2 security guards per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $40,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for security guards in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| 25th percentile | $32,190 | $15.48 |
| Median | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 75th percentile | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Average (mean) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
Half of security guards 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 | $3,095.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,547.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,428.85 |
| Weekly | $714.42 |
| Hourly | $17.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Security Guard salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,480 | 350 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,740 | 640 |
| Rapid City, SD | $37,150 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for security guards
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $64,210 |
| Alaska | $47,480 |
| Washington | $47,100 |
| Vermont | $45,550 |
| Oregon | $45,500 |
| New Hampshire | $45,200 |
| Colorado | $45,150 |
| Massachusetts | $44,670 |
| New York | $44,240 |
| Virginia | $43,640 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
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 33-9032. 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 security guard make in South Dakota?
The median salary for security guards in South Dakota is $37,150 a year, or $17.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid security guards make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of security guards in South Dakota earn at least $59,840 a year. The top 25% earn $45,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for security guards in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,060 a year, and a quarter of security guards earn $32,190 or less.
How many security guards work in South Dakota?
About 1,460 security guards are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.