Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Fort Wayne, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Wayne, IN

Median annual salary $39,620 -24.3% vs national
Median hourly $19.05
10th percentile $37,000
90th percentile $80,960
Employed locally 40
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Fort Wayne, IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Fort Wayne, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,000
    25th
    $38,420
    50th (median)
    $39,620
    75th
    $51,010
    90th
    $80,960

    Fort Wayne economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,378 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 57% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 43% 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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730
    Illinois $73,070
    Minnesota $72,070
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $67,520

    Related occupations in Fort Wayne, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$75,780
    Security Guards$37,590
    Firefighters$75,510
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$58,380
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,980
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$40,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Fort Wayne, IN is $19.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.65 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Fort Wayne, IN is 24.3% below 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 Fort Wayne?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $37,000 per year in Fort Wayne, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,420.