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Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in South Dakota

The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in South Dakota is $77,440/year ($37.23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $142K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:

$77K
Median annual
$37.23/hr
Hourly rate
$60K
Entry level (10th %)
$142K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $77K get you in South Dakota?

Estimated monthly take-home$5,239/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,017/mo
Rent as % of take-home19.4% (within guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$86,150/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$4,222/mo

About detectives and criminal investigators

Education: High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employed: 110,790
South Dakota employed: 230
Category: Public Safety

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota

Bar chart showing Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary percentiles in South Dakota: 10th percentile $59,540, 25th percentile $65,700, median $77,440, 75th percentile $108,700, 90th percentile $142,190. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$60K25th$66KMedian$77K75th$109K90th$142K
Bar chart showing Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary percentiles in South Dakota: 10th percentile $59,540, 25th percentile $65,700, median $77,440, 75th percentile $108,700, 90th percentile $142,190. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $142K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in South Dakota

2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay

Metro areaMedian salaryvs. stateEmployment
Sioux Falls$106K+37%60
Rapid City$77K+0%70

Compare to other states

Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in South Dakota?

The median is $77,440 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,540, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $142,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $77K enough to live in South Dakota?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,239/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 19.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in South Dakota?

South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $86,150 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do detectives and criminal investigators get paid the most?

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.

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