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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$44,840
Median Annual Salary
$44,210
Mean Salary
$44,840
Median Salary
$21.56
Hourly Rate
60 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota earn a median salary of $44,840 per year ($3,736/month).
This is 13.6% below the national average of $51,911.
South Dakota ranks #39 out of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay.
Approximately 60 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
About This Job: Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Complex Problem Solving
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.21
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
Law and Government
4.02
Computers and Electronics
3.56
Administrative
3.55
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(37.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota range from $40,050 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $49,560 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $40,860 and $48,550.
Median $44,840
P10: $40,050P25: $40,860P75: $48,550P90: $49,560
10th
$40,050
25th
$40,860
Median
$44,840
75th
$48,550
90th
$49,560
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$40,050
$19.25
$3,337
25th Percentile
$40,860
$19.64
$3,405
Median (50th)
$44,840
$21.56
$3,736
75th Percentile
$48,550
$23.34
$4,045
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$49,560
$23.83
$4,130
Note: The mean (average) salary of $44,210 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#39
South Dakota ranks #39 of 49 states
$51,911
National avg. for Private Detectives and Investigators
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota is $44,840 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $44,210.
What is the salary range for a Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota?
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota range from $40,050 at the 10th percentile to $49,560 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $40,860 and $48,550.
What is the starting salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota?
Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators positions in South Dakota typically start around $40,050 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $40,860 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 60 people are employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota is approximately $21.56 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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