Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $77,440 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $37.23
10th percentile $58,430
90th percentile $130,980
Employed locally 70
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Rapid City, SD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,430
    25th
    $70,870
    50th (median)
    $77,440
    75th
    $108,700
    90th
    $130,980

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 108% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 8% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $105,790

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $59,230
    Firefighters $48,160
    Security Guards $36,450
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $48,680
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $104,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rapid City, SD is $37.23, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.44 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Rapid City, SD is 17.2% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $58,430 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $70,870.