Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Dakota
Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota earn a median of $44,840 a year ($21.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,560 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $51,220. South Dakota ranks 39th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.13 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $44,210, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| 25th percentile | $40,860 | $19.65 |
| Median | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| 75th percentile | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Average (mean) | $44,210 | $21.25 |
Half of private detectives and 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 | $3,736.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,868.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,724.62 |
| Weekly | $862.31 |
| Hourly | $21.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,840 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.
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
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 33-9021. 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 private detectives and investigators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in South Dakota is $44,840 a year, or $21.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in South Dakota earn at least $49,560 a year. The top 25% earn $48,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,050 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,860 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in South Dakota?
About 60 private detectives and investigators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.