Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,050
- 25th Percentile — Junior$40,860
- 50th Percentile — Median$44,840
- 75th Percentile — Senior$48,550
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$49,560
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota earn more than $44,840. The top 10% make $49,560 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,050.
Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 49th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $44,210 per year (26.5% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 60 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.56: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,050; the top 10% earn over $49,560.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.25 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in South Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($97,350).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $44,210 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $44,210 is roughly equivalent to $50,816 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($47,230), Oklahoma ($46,450), Mississippi ($46,370) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $97,350/yr South Dakota +120.2% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $91,060/yr South Dakota +106.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $81,140/yr South Dakota +83.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $64,320/yr South Dakota +45.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $53,260/yr South Dakota +20.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $51,180/yr South Dakota +15.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $40,250/yr South Dakota 9.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Dakota?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in South Dakota is $44,210 per year (median $44,840), which is 26.5% below the national average of $60,150.
How does South Dakota rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota earn about $40,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $40,860.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in South Dakota?
About $21.25 per hour, based on the $44,210 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 60 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data