SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Illinois
Illinois · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Illinois comes to $60,210 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,220 by 17.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Illinois comes to $60,210 a year, ahead of the national median of $51,220 by 17.6%. Pay ranges from under $38,920 at the tenth percentile to more than $97,780 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,380 to $79,140.
The area has 1,300 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Illinois ranks number 9th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $68,310. Of the 747 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 415th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,920 | −24.0% |
| 25th | $44,380 | −13.4% |
| Median (50th) | $60,210 | +17.6% |
| 75th | $79,140 | +54.5% |
| 90th | $97,780 | +90.9% |
| Mean | $64,440 | +25.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $68,310 | 970 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Illinois sit close to the national average, so $60,210 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$60,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,210US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,210 a year, 17.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,920 to $97,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,300 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $68,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Illinois?
The median annual wage is $60,210, or $28.95 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $51,220, so pay in Illinois is 17.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Illinois earns more than $97,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,920 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $68,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,300 jobs in this occupation in Illinois. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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