Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Nebraska
Private Detectives and Investigators in Nebraska earn a median of $51,750 a year ($24.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,480 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $51,220. Nebraska ranks 21st of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.16 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $58,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| 25th percentile | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| Median | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| 75th percentile | $76,000 | $36.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Average (mean) | $58,140 | $27.95 |
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 | $4,312.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,156.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,990.38 |
| Weekly | $995.19 |
| Hourly | $24.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $53,800 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,100 | 70 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Firefighter | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $100,530 | $48.33 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Nebraska is $51,750 a year, or $24.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Nebraska earn at least $89,480 a year. The top 25% earn $76,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,950 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $42,800 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Nebraska?
About 160 private detectives and investigators are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.