Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,900
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,640
- 50th Percentile — Median$47,430
- 75th Percentile — Senior$55,040
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$73,190
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Montana earn more than $47,430. The top 10% make $73,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,900.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 34th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $52,540 per year (12.7% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 70 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Montana — 0.2% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.56: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,900; the top 10% earn over $73,190.
- Hourly equivalent: $25.26 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Montana, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($93,800).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $52,540 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $52,540 is roughly equivalent to $55,305 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($54,920), Georgia ($54,730), Idaho ($54,530) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $93,800/yr Montana +78.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $93,560/yr Montana +78.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,620/yr Montana +63.0% vs this role
- Police Officers $69,540/yr Montana +32.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $57,660/yr Montana +9.7% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,980/yr Montana +0.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $42,270/yr Montana 19.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Montana?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Montana is $52,540 per year (median $47,430), which is 12.7% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Montana rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Montana ranks 34th 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 Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Montana earn about $39,900 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,640.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Montana?
About $25.26 per hour, based on the $52,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Montana?
BLS counts 70 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data