Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Rapid City, SD
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $77,730 a year ($37.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $77,730. There are 1.2 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| 25th percentile | $74,540 | $35.84 |
| Median | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| 75th percentile | $110,880 | $53.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Average (mean) | $90,320 | $43.43 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators 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 | $6,477.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,238.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,989.62 |
| Weekly | $1,494.81 |
| Hourly | $37.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $110,760 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,010 | $16.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. 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 detectives and criminal investigators make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $77,730 a year, or $37.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $136,120 a year. The top 25% earn $110,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,740 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $74,540 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Rapid City, SD?
About 90 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.