Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Wisconsin
Private Detectives and Investigators in Wisconsin earn a median of $41,850 a year ($20.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,550 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $51,220. Wisconsin ranks 43rd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.14 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $50,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| 25th percentile | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Median | $41,850 | $20.12 |
| 75th percentile | $58,210 | $27.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Average (mean) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
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 | $3,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,743.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,609.62 |
| Weekly | $804.81 |
| Hourly | $20.12 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $70,220 | 410 |
| Madison, WI | $42,320 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $41,850 | 140 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $42,150 | $20.26 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| Firefighter | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,310 | $40.05 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Wisconsin is $41,850 a year, or $20.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Wisconsin earn at least $76,550 a year. The top 25% earn $58,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,000 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,580 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Wisconsin?
About 410 private detectives and investigators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.