Security Guards salary in South Dakota — GUPPI −6.6%
What is the wage premium for Security Guards in South Dakota?
South Dakota pays $37,150/year for Security Guards (BLS OEWS May 2025) — −6.6% below the national employment-weighted average of $39,767. Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI): −6.6%. Updated annually from BLS OEWS.
Gera US Pay Premium Index
South Dakota ranks #30 of 51 states for Security Guards pay. National employment-weighted average: $39,767.
How this is calculatedState median
$37,150
BLS OEWS May 2025
National avg
$39,767
Emp-weighted mean
State rank
#30
of 51 states
Security Guards — GUPPI by US state
All states where BLS publishes a median, ranked highest premium first. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100.
| # | State | Median salary | GUPPI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $64,210 | +61.5% |
| 2 | Alaska | $47,480 | +19.4% |
| 3 | Washington | $47,100 | +18.4% |
| 4 | Vermont | $45,550 | +14.5% |
| 5 | Oregon | $45,500 | +14.4% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $45,200 | +13.7% |
| 7 | Colorado | $45,150 | +13.5% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $44,670 | +12.3% |
| 9 | New York | $44,240 | +11.2% |
| 10 | Virginia | $43,640 | +9.7% |
| 11 | Minnesota | $43,380 | +9.1% |
| 12 | New Mexico | $43,320 | +8.9% |
| 13 | California | $43,240 | +8.7% |
| 14 | Hawaii | $42,820 | +7.7% |
| 15 | Utah | $42,700 | +7.4% |
| 16 | Missouri | $40,390 | +1.6% |
| 17 | Connecticut | $39,920 | +0.4% |
| 18 | Nebraska | $39,840 | +0.2% |
| 19 | Illinois | $39,490 | −0.7% |
| 20 | North Dakota | $39,310 | −1.1% |
| 21 | Wyoming | $39,200 | −1.4% |
| 22 | Maine | $39,100 | −1.7% |
| 23 | New Jersey | $38,880 | −2.2% |
| 24 | Montana | $38,480 | −3.2% |
| 25 | Idaho | $38,300 | −3.7% |
| 26 | Arizona | $38,290 | −3.7% |
| 27 | Maryland | $38,220 | −3.9% |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $37,440 | −5.9% |
| 29 | Nevada | $37,310 | −6.2% |
| 30 | South Dakota ← | $37,150 | −6.6% |
| 31 | Iowa | $37,080 | −6.8% |
| 32 | Kansas | $37,080 | −6.8% |
| 33 | Michigan | $37,080 | −6.8% |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $37,050 | −6.8% |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $36,940 | −7.1% |
| 36 | Indiana | $36,490 | −8.2% |
| 37 | Delaware | $36,360 | −8.6% |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $36,270 | −8.8% |
| 39 | Tennessee | $36,000 | −9.5% |
| 40 | Texas | $35,980 | −9.5% |
| 41 | Florida | $35,900 | −9.7% |
| 42 | Arkansas | $35,770 | −10.1% |
| 43 | Ohio | $35,770 | −10.1% |
| 44 | South Carolina | $35,460 | −10.8% |
| 45 | Kentucky | $35,420 | −10.9% |
| 46 | North Carolina | $35,010 | −12.0% |
| 47 | Georgia | $34,980 | −12.0% |
| 48 | Alabama | $33,720 | −15.2% |
| 49 | Louisiana | $32,240 | −18.9% |
| 50 | Mississippi | $29,180 | −26.6% |
| 51 | West Virginia | $28,800 | −27.6% |
See how your salary compares — GUPPI calculator
Pick a US state and enter your gross annual salary. We show how it compares to the BLS state median for Security Guards and to the national average (GUPPI).
BLS median salary for Security Guards in South Dakota: $37,150 per year — 6.6% below the national average.
Enter a salary above to see your personal GUPPI position.
BLS OEWS May 2025. GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. Full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do Security Guards earn in South Dakota?
- The BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Security Guards in South Dakota is $37,150. This is the midpoint — half of Security Guardss in the state earn more, half earn less.
- Is South Dakota a high-paying state for Security Guards?
- South Dakota pays −6.6% below the national employment-weighted average for Security Guards (GUPPI −6.6%). No — employers in South Dakota pay below the national average for this role.
- What is the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI) for Security Guards in South Dakota?
- GUPPI = (state median − employment-weighted national average) / national average × 100. For Security Guards in South Dakota: ($37,150 − $39,767) / $39,767 × 100 = −6.6%. See the methodology page for full formula and data source details.
- How does South Dakota compare to other states for Security Guards salaries?
- South Dakota ranks #30 of 51 states where BLS publishes a median wage for Security Guards, based on the Gera US Pay Premium Index (GUPPI −6.6%). Top-ranked state: District of Columbia (GUPPI +61.5%, median $64,210).
Find Security Guards jobs in South Dakota with salary ranges
GeraJobs lists live vacancies where employers state salary ranges — search South Dakota to see which roles match the GUPPI benchmark.
Compare other states for Security Guards
Data source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · May 2025 state estimates · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)
GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All occupations