Careers · Private Detectives and Investigators · South Dakota

Private Detectives and Investigators in South Dakota

Private detectives and investigators gather and analyze information about individuals or organizations for clients, or monitor private establishments for rule violations and unlawful activity. They work for detective agencies, security firms, law offices, or as independent contractors, conducting interviews, surveillance, and background research. In South Dakota the median pay is $44,840 a year, 12% below the national median of $51,220.

$44,840median pay in South Dakota, per year

$40,860–$48,550middle half earn

60employed in South Dakota

$51,220U.S. median, for comparison

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Who is hiring in South Dakota

114open roles like this on employer career sites, 11 in South Dakota or remote

33employers hiring

35posted in the last 7 days

Remote · TX · NYwhere most openings are

Openings in South Dakota and remote

Supervisory Investigator - Investigations Division · Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection · Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job) · Remote · $125776–$197200
Threat Investigator Team Lead · Discord · USA · Remote
Motor Carrier Safety Specialist (Safety Investigator) · Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration · Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job) · Remote · $121785–$158322
Technical Threat Investigator, Threat Intel Engineering · OpenAI · USA · Remote
SIU Investigator · Healthcare Fraud Shield · United States · Remote
AML Investigator III · Mercury · USA · Remote
Background Investigator · CertiK · Europe, UK, USA · Remote
Senior All-Source Investigator, Severe Harms · TRM Labs · UK, USA · Remote

Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.

What it takes

Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most hold an associate degree.

Skills that matter most

Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingWritingSocial PerceptivenessActive Learning

Knowledge areas

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeAdministration and Management

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Private Detectives and Investigators.

Licenses and training in South Dakota

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Private Detectives and Investigators pay in other states

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

Related occupations

Animal Control Workers Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators Security Guards Crossing Guards and Flaggers Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Transportation Security Screeners School Bus Monitors Protective Service Workers, All Other

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against private detectives and investigators and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 33-9021.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Dakota, annual.