Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Wisconsin
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,000
- 25th Percentile — Junior$38,580
- 50th Percentile — Median$41,850
- 75th Percentile — Senior$58,210
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$76,550
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Wisconsin earn more than $41,850. The top 10% make $76,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,000.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Wisconsin ranks 36th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $50,660 per year (15.8% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 410 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Wisconsin — 1.2% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.61: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,000; the top 10% earn over $76,550.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.36 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Wisconsin, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($100,710).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Wisconsin
Key factors affecting compensation
Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $50,660 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $50,660 is roughly equivalent to $55,065 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($54,530), Michigan ($53,850), Montana ($52,540) 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 Wisconsin
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $100,710/yr Wisconsin +98.8% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $90,620/yr Wisconsin +78.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,100/yr Wisconsin +68.0% vs this role
- Police Officers $76,560/yr Wisconsin +51.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $73,690/yr Wisconsin +45.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $50,710/yr Wisconsin +0.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $41,390/yr Wisconsin 18.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Wisconsin?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Wisconsin is $50,660 per year (median $41,850), which is 15.8% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Wisconsin rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Wisconsin ranks 36th 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 Wisconsin?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Wisconsin earn about $37,000 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,580.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Wisconsin?
About $24.36 per hour, based on the $50,660 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 410 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).
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