Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $39,670 -24.3% vs national
Median hourly $19.07
10th percentile $35,890
90th percentile $65,380
Employed locally 150
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,890
    25th
    $38,140
    50th (median)
    $39,670
    75th
    $56,490
    90th
    $65,380

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 52% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 48% 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
    Madison, WI $52,530
    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

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $40,790
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,670
    Firefighters $49,210
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $30,050
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $68,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $108,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Milwaukee, WI is $19.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.67 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Milwaukee, WI 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $35,890 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,140.