Private Detectives and Investigators salary in North Dakota
Private Detectives and Investigators in North Dakota earn a median of $44,310 a year ($21.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,320 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $51,220. North Dakota ranks 40th 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 $47,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| 25th percentile | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Median | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| 75th percentile | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Average (mean) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
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 | $3,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,846.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,704.23 |
| Weekly | $852.12 |
| Hourly | $21.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,460 | $25.70 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| Firefighter | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $82,290 | $39.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Bailiff | $27,560 | $13.25 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in North Dakota is $44,310 a year, or $21.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in North Dakota earn at least $61,320 a year. The top 25% earn $50,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,710 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $39,840 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in North Dakota?
About 60 private detectives and investigators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.