Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Madison, WI
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $42,320 a year ($20.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,620 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 1% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $41,850. There are 0.14 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $53,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 25th percentile | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Median | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| 75th percentile | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Average (mean) | $53,090 | $25.52 |
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 | $3,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,763.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,627.69 |
| Weekly | $813.85 |
| Hourly | $20.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $70,220 | 410 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $41,850 | 140 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $59,140 | $28.44 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,580 | $38.74 |
| Firefighter | $56,430 | $27.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,780 | $49.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Madison, WI metro area is $42,320 a year, or $20.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $65,620 a year. The top 25% earn $64,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,860 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $39,840 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Madison, WI?
About 60 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.