Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $44,100 a year ($21.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,350 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $51,750. There are 0.14 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $50,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| 25th percentile | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Median | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 75th percentile | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Average (mean) | $50,180 | $24.12 |
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 | $3,675 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,696.15 |
| Weekly | $848.08 |
| Hourly | $21.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,100 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $53,800 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $41,110 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,960 | 30 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| 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 Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $77,150 | $37.09 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $44,100 a year, or $21.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $66,350 a year. The top 25% earn $55,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,450 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,190 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.