Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in South Dakota
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Dakota earn a median of $77,730 a year ($37.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $93,790. South Dakota ranks 37th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.55 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $91,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| 25th percentile | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| Median | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| 75th percentile | $110,880 | $53.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| Average (mean) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $110,760 | 60 |
| Rapid City, SD | $77,730 | 90 |
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.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $68,810 | $33.08 |
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
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 33-3021. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in South Dakota is $77,730 a year, or $37.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in South Dakota earn at least $149,280 a year. The top 25% earn $110,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,210 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $63,110 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in South Dakota?
About 250 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.