Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Minnesota
Private Detectives and Investigators in Minnesota earn a median of $57,880 a year ($27.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,360 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $51,220. Minnesota ranks 12th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| 25th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Median | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| 75th percentile | $83,670 | $40.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,360 | $48.73 |
| Average (mean) | $66,510 | $31.97 |
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 | $4,823.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,411.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,226.15 |
| Weekly | $1,113.08 |
| Hourly | $27.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $70,220 | 410 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| Firefighter | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,800 | $37.89 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Minnesota is $57,880 a year, or $27.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Minnesota earn at least $101,360 a year. The top 25% earn $83,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,520 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,930 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Minnesota?
About 600 private detectives and investigators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.