Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Madison, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Madison, WI

Median annual salary $52,530 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $25.26
10th percentile $38,030
90th percentile $89,500
Employed locally 60
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Madison, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,030
    25th
    $38,660
    50th (median)
    $52,530
    75th
    $64,940
    90th
    $89,500

    Madison economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,827 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 60% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 40% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $51,610
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $51,610
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $48,430
    Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $44,630
    Wisconsin $43,210

    Related occupations in Madison, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $83,120
    Security Guards $43,480
    Firefighters $59,990
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $76,560
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,600
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $101,690

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Madison, WI is $25.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Madison, WI is 0.3% 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 Madison?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,030 per year in Madison, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,660.