Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$38,380
- 50th Percentile — Median$41,110
- 75th Percentile — Senior$54,680
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$64,080
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa earn more than $41,110. The top 10% make $64,080 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,920.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 43rd of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $48,190 per year (19.9% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 170 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa — 0.5% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.48: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,920; the top 10% earn over $64,080.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.17 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Iowa, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($101,540).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $48,190 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $48,190 is roughly equivalent to $56,035 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($49,550), Indiana ($49,080), Alabama ($48,750) 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 Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $101,540/yr Iowa +110.7% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $87,110/yr Iowa +80.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $83,040/yr Iowa +72.3% vs this role
- Police Officers $76,280/yr Iowa +58.3% vs this role
- Firefighters $57,240/yr Iowa +18.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $57,140/yr Iowa +18.6% vs this role
- Security Guards $42,220/yr Iowa 12.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Iowa?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Iowa is $48,190 per year (median $41,110), which is 19.9% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Iowa rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Iowa ranks 43rd 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 Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa earn about $36,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,380.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Iowa?
About $23.17 per hour, based on the $48,190 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Iowa?
BLS counts 170 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data