Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$44,380
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,210
- 75th Percentile — Senior$79,140
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$97,780
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois earn more than $60,210. The top 10% make $97,780 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,920.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 11th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $64,440 per year (7.1% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 1,300 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois — 3.7% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.93: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,920; the top 10% earn over $97,780.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Illinois, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($126,760).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $64,440 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $64,440 is roughly equivalent to $61,371 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($67,040), Connecticut ($66,560), Minnesota ($66,510) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $126,760/yr Illinois +96.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $115,980/yr Illinois +80.0% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $97,480/yr Illinois +51.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $92,450/yr Illinois +43.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $78,080/yr Illinois +21.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $76,530/yr Illinois +18.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $44,240/yr Illinois 31.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Illinois?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Illinois is $64,440 per year (median $60,210), which is 7.1% above the national average of $60,150.
How does Illinois rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Illinois ranks 11th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois earn about $38,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,380.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Illinois?
About $30.98 per hour, based on the $64,440 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Illinois?
BLS counts 1,300 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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