Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Indianapolis, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Median annual salary $47,430 -9.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.80
10th percentile $37,340
90th percentile $83,400
Employed locally 200
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Indianapolis, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,340
    25th
    $38,720
    50th (median)
    $47,430
    75th
    $74,680
    90th
    $83,400

    Indianapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,065 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 62% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 38% 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 Indianapolis, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $39,030
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $80,700
    Firefighters $66,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $45,710
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,530
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $36,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Indianapolis, IN is $22.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.16 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Indianapolis, IN is 9.4% 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 Indianapolis?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $37,340 per year in Indianapolis, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,720.