Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Indiana
Private Detectives and Investigators in Indiana earn a median of $41,830 a year ($20.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,000 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $51,220. Indiana ranks 44th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.15 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $49,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| Median | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| 75th percentile | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Average (mean) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
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 | $3,485.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,742.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,608.85 |
| Weekly | $804.42 |
| Hourly | $20.11 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $68,310 | 970 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,420 | 110 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,280 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,550 | 140 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $39,220 | 40 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,000 | $20.68 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,930 | $23.05 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,370 | $35.27 |
| Firefighter | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Indiana is $41,830 a year, or $20.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Indiana earn at least $77,000 a year. The top 25% earn $53,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,990 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Indiana?
About 480 private detectives and investigators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.