Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Illinois
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Illinois is $73,070/year ($35.13/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $73K get you in Illinois?
About private detectives and investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K.Top earners bring in $99K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Private Detectives and Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77K | +48% | 480 |
| Maryland | $74K | +42% | 560 |
| Illinois | $73K | +40% | 1,770 |
| Minnesota | $72K | +38% | 940 |
| Connecticut | $68K | +30% | 400 |
| Wyoming | $67K | +29% | 40 |
| Vermont | $66K | +26% | N/A |
| Washington | $65K | +25% | 840 |
| Arizona | $65K | +24% | 980 |
| California | $60K | +15% | 5,260 |
| New York | $60K | +14% | 1,850 |
| Massachusetts | $58K | +10% | 480 |
| North Carolina | $55K | +5% | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $54K | +3% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $54K | +3% | 650 |
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Illinois?
The median is $73,070 a year - that works out to about $35.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,710, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $98,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,681/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,203/month (median of metro areas), which eats 25.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a private detectives and investigators salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median private detectives and investigators salary is worth about $73,070 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do private detectives and investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.