Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Idaho
Private Detectives and Investigators in Idaho earn a median of $47,910 a year ($23.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,710 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $51,220. Idaho ranks 29th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.25 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| 25th percentile | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Median | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| 75th percentile | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,710 | $33.51 |
| Average (mean) | $54,530 | $26.21 |
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 | $3,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,996.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,842.69 |
| Weekly | $921.35 |
| Hourly | $23.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Idaho at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $47,690 | 120 |
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.
Related jobs in Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,230 | $15.49 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| Firefighter | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,920 | $45.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $72,520 | $34.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,630 | $44.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Idaho is $47,910 a year, or $23.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Idaho?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Idaho earn at least $69,710 a year. The top 25% earn $65,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,520 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,530 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Idaho?
About 210 private detectives and investigators are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.