Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Iowa
Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa earn a median of $41,110 a year ($19.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,080 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $51,220. Iowa ranks 47th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.11 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $48,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Median | $41,110 | $19.77 |
| 75th percentile | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Average (mean) | $48,190 | $23.17 |
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 | $3,425.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,712.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,581.15 |
| Weekly | $790.58 |
| Hourly | $19.77 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,100 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $41,110 | 40 |
| 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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Animal Control Worker | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Iowa is $41,110 a year, or $19.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Iowa earn at least $64,080 a year. The top 25% earn $54,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,380 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Iowa?
About 170 private detectives and investigators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.