Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Montana
Private Detectives and Investigators in Montana earn a median of $47,430 a year ($22.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,190 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $51,220. Montana ranks 32nd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.13 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $52,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| 25th percentile | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Median | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| 75th percentile | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| Average (mean) | $52,540 | $25.26 |
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 | $3,952.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,976.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,824.23 |
| Weekly | $912.12 |
| Hourly | $22.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Animal Control Worker | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Montana is $47,430 a year, or $22.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Montana?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Montana earn at least $73,190 a year. The top 25% earn $55,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,900 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $42,640 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Montana?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.