Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in South Dakota
Deputy sheriffs in South Dakota meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training Commission (Office of the Attorney General, Law Enforcement Training): age 21+, 520-hour academy, state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for South Dakota.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in South Dakota, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in South Dakota, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | SD |
|---|---|
| Workers | 2,000 |
| 10th percentile | $47,540 |
| Median | $60,740 |
| 90th percentile | $91,900 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in South Dakota
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Retirement System - Generational Class B Public Safety Generational member, Class B public safety | 2% | Age 57 with 3 years of contributory service (vested) | 8% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the South Dakota pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in South Dakota
66 sheriff's offices in South Dakota.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for South Dakota
South Dakota Law Enforcement Certification ExamSouth Dakota exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in South Dakota
South Dakota government jobs · South Dakota public pension plans · police officer standards in South Dakota · exam practice in South Dakota