Check municipal requirements before accepting an assignment. Rapid City publishes an individual security-guard licensing procedure with fingerprint and background checks, alongside security-business licensing.
1
Confirm the location
Identify every city where you will provide security services.
2
Check the local credential
In Rapid City, obtain the current security-guard application through the Finance Office.
3
Complete screening
Follow fingerprint, background, and supporting-document instructions.
4
Verify approval
Confirm the required license is issued before starting work and record its renewal date.
How long is the training?
Confirm training with your employer and the relevant city. This review has not established a single statewide employee training pathway.
Local and employer requirements need confirmation for your intended role. Check with Local city licensing authority; Rapid City Finance Office for Rapid City assignments before paying for a course.
Eligibility and local checks
A business license and an employee guard license cover separate requirements.
Rapid City's requirements cannot be generalized to every South Dakota municipality.
Compare your options
Security training providers in South Dakota
Compare the advertised course, duration and price. Each listing identifies required licensing training or optional career preparation.
Checked 2026-09-16. Independent directory listing. Confirm dates and availability with the provider.
Training fees are set by the provider. State application, fingerprinting, examination and renewal fees can be additional. Open the South Dakota course finder.
Earnings in South Dakota
How much could you earn each month?
Security guards and security officers in South Dakota have a median wage of $17.86 an hour. The annual wage estimate of $37,150 works out to about $3,096 a month before tax.
Lower quarter$2,683per month · $15.48 / hour
Median$3,096per month · $17.86 / hour
Upper quarter$3,766per month · $21.72 / hour
BLS May 2025, Security Guards (SOC 33-9032), published through O*NET. Monthly figures divide annual estimates by 12 and are before tax. This occupational group includes security guard and security officer job titles across employers and experience levels. Percentiles describe the wage distribution; they do not guarantee starting or experienced-worker pay.
Use an advertised hourly rate and the paid hours you expect to work.
Starts at the South Dakota median hourly rate and 40 hours. Change both to match the offer.
Estimated monthly gross pay$3,096
$714 a week · $37,149 a year
Before tax and deductions
Calculation: hourly pay × weekly paid hours × 52 ÷ 12. Assumes the same paid hours for 52 weeks. Overtime, extra shift pay and unpaid time are excluded. Actual pay dates and take-home pay depend on your employer and circumstances.
Your next role
Security officer jobs in South Dakota
Search current employer vacancies and check the pay, hours and training requirements for the exact assignment.
Indeed opens its own current search results. These employer cards are checked separately.
Before you say yes to a job
A useful offer gives you enough detail to plan your money, travel and week.
What will land in my bank account?
Ask for the hourly rate, guaranteed paid hours, deductions and pay frequency. Check the first payday, paid breaks, overtime arrangements and any night or weekend premium.
Will the shifts fit my life?
Confirm the actual start and finish times, weekend expectations, notice for roster changes and how you will get home after a late shift.
Can I apply with my experience?
Read the exact experience, licence and screening requirements. Ask who arranges and pays for required training, registration, background checks and uniforms.
What will the workplace be like?
Check the site location, indoor or outdoor duties, time on your feet, lone working, supervisor support and eligibility for benefits.
The work behind the uniform
Who becomes a security officer?
Security work can suit people who enjoy helping others, following a clear process and noticing details. You may be starting your first job or bringing experience from customer service, hospitality or retail.
Many entry roles ask for a high-school diploma or equivalent. Check the specific employer’s requirements and your South Dakota entry route, then choose a setting that fits your skills and circumstances.
Calm communication
Explain a rule courteously and listen when someone needs help.
Attention to detail
Stay focused during routine tasks and report changes clearly.
Reliable judgement
Follow your post instructions and know when to ask a supervisor.
What is life like as a security officer?
Your day depends on the assignment. A reception post involves regular contact with people; patrol work can involve substantial walking or standing; a control room needs sustained attention to screens and calls. Night, weekend and rotating shifts are common. Check the actual roster, breaks and relief arrangements before accepting a role.
Walk through a day on shiftAn office-building example
An invented learning scenario. Hours, uniform, equipment and duties are set by the employer and assignment.
Take over the post
Read the handover, check your equipment and confirm the temporary procedure for a faulty badge reader.
Help people arrive
Check visitors, contact their hosts and explain where to wait. Keep the access record up to date.
Patrol and report
With reception covered, find water in a service corridor. Report its location and follow the site’s safety instructions.
Ask before making an exception
A contractor arrives without a booking. Contact the authorised representative and follow the agreed waiting procedure.
Leave a clear handover
Record the completed clean-up and the outstanding reader repair. Confirm the next action with the incoming officer.
These examples show common work settings across the US. Compare the duties and entry requirements in each South Dakota vacancy.
Offices & reception
Welcome visitors, check access and keep a useful record of arrivals.
Ask the employer
How is reception covered during patrols and breaks?
Retail
Help customers, observe activity and report concerns through store procedures.
Ask the employer
Which incidents go to a supervisor or loss-prevention specialist?
Warehouses & logistics
Check drivers and deliveries, patrol assigned areas and report access problems.
Ask the employer
How much work is outdoors, on foot or in a vehicle?
Hospitals
Support staff and visitors, check access and communicate with people under stress.
Ask the employer
What healthcare training and immediate support are provided?
Events & venues
Work at scheduled events, with duties defined by your assigned post.
Ask the employer
Is this a security or guest-services role, and what checks apply?
Control rooms
Monitor systems, handle calls and pass clear information to colleagues.
Ask the employer
What systems knowledge and previous experience are required?
Where could the career take you?
Possible next steps include shift supervisor, site lead, operations-centre work and specialist assignments. Build experience through dependable work, clear reports and further training. Each opportunity has its own selection requirements.
Check municipal requirements before accepting an assignment. Rapid City publishes an individual security-guard licensing procedure with fingerprint and background checks, alongside security-business licensing.
How long is security guard training in South Dakota?
Confirm training with your employer and the relevant city. This review has not established a single statewide employee training pathway.
How much does security guard training cost in South Dakota?
Optional career preparation is listed separately from any required local or employer training. The listed course with a published price starts at $49.99. Each listing explains its price and training type. Application, fingerprinting, examinations and other charges may be separate. Confirm the current total with the provider.
How much do security guards and security officers earn in South Dakota?
The median is $17.86 per hour or $37,150 annually, equivalent to about $3,096 per month before tax, in BLS May 2025 data for Security Guards, published through O*NET. This occupation covers security guard and security officer job titles; it does not provide separate wages for the two titles. Actual pay varies with employer, role, location and experience.
Can I complete my South Dakota security training online?
Delivery depends on the accepted course and your intended role. The directory includes an online or blended option; check the listing’s scope and any in-person requirements. Free Get Licensed preparation supports your learning; approved training and licensing requirements follow the local route.
Official sources
Entry-level unarmed employment. Armed, specialist and security-business routes can have additional requirements.
