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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Montana

The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Montana is $47,910/year ($23.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Montana. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.

$48K
Median annual
$23.03/hr
Hourly rate
$41K
Entry level (10th %)
$79K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $48K get you in Montana?

Estimated monthly take-home$3,235/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,129/mo
Rent as % of take-home34.9% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$49,392/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$2,106/mo

About private detectives and investigators

U.S. employed: 60
Category: Public Safety

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, Montana

Bar chart showing Private Detectives and Investigators salary percentiles in Montana: 10th percentile $41,050, 25th percentile $43,930, median $47,910, 75th percentile $62,010, 90th percentile $79,200. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$41K25th$44KMedian$48K75th$62K90th$79K
Bar chart showing Private Detectives and Investigators salary percentiles in Montana: 10th percentile $41,050, 25th percentile $43,930, median $47,910, 75th percentile $62,010, 90th percentile $79,200. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.

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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do private detectives and investigators make in Montana?

The median is $47,910 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,050, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $79,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $48K enough to live in Montana?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,235/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 34.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

How far does a private detectives and investigators salary go in Montana?

Montana 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 $49,392 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.

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