Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $68,310 a year ($32.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 13% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $60,210. There are 0.21 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,020, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,670 | $19.55 |
| 25th percentile | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Median | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| 75th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Average (mean) | $68,020 | $32.70 |
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 | $5,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,846.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,627.31 |
| Weekly | $1,313.65 |
| Hourly | $32.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,420 | 110 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,280 | 30 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,550 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,930 | 230 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,960 | 30 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $39,220 | 40 |
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 or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $39,990 | $19.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,370 | $23.74 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $126,200 | $60.67 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,260 | $49.16 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $68,310 a year, or $32.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $97,780 a year. The top 25% earn $79,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,670 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,570 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 970 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.