Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Illinois
Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois earn a median of $60,210 a year ($28.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $51,220. Illinois ranks 9th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.21 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Median | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| 75th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Average (mean) | $64,440 | $30.98 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,017.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,508.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,315.77 |
| Weekly | $1,157.88 |
| Hourly | $28.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $68,310 | 970 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,930 | 230 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,960 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $39,490 | $18.98 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Animal Control Worker | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Firefighter | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,190 | $43.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $123,500 | $59.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Illinois?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Illinois is $60,210 a year, or $28.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Illinois earn at least $97,780 a year. The top 25% earn $79,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,920 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,380 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Illinois?
About 1,300 private detectives and investigators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.