Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $77,680 +48.3% vs national
Median hourly $37.35
10th percentile $44,100
90th percentile $99,500
Employed locally 1,320
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,100
    25th
    $51,840
    50th (median)
    $77,680
    75th
    $90,700
    90th
    $99,500

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 87% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,400

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Illinois $73,070
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $62,230
    Greenville, NC $57,590
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $55,050
    Asheville, NC $53,900

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,630
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $108,890
    Firefighters $88,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $85,400
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $33,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $136,440

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Chicago, IL-IN is $37.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.01 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 48.3% above the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Chicago?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $44,100 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,840.