Private Detectives and Investigators · Indiana

Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Indiana

Private Detectives and Investigators in Indiana earn a median annual wage of $41,830 —18.3% below the national median of $51,220. That ranks IN #44 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$41,830
Median hourly
$20.11
Entry level (P10)
$36,500
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$77,000
90th percentile
Employment
480
0.1 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-18.3%
U.S. $51,220

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$36,500
$37,990
$41,830
$53,590
$36,500$41,830$77,000
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $41,830.

Employment is only 0.66× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Indiana.

Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators

All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. Indiana is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Oregon$76,480$36.776101.35
2Connecticut$75,010$36.064001.03
3District of Columbia$72,720$34.96——
4Vermont$67,910$32.65901.28
5New Hampshire$65,370$31.432801.81
6Washington$64,080$30.817500.92
7California$61,250$29.454,1901.01
8Arizona$61,030$29.347901.07
9Illinois$60,210$28.951,3000.93
10New York$59,140$28.431,3000.59

Related occupations in Indiana

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Indiana.

Frequently asked questions

How much do private detectives and investigators make in Indiana?

The median annual wage for private detectives and investigators in Indiana is $41,830, or $20.11 per hour. That is 18.3% below the national median of $51,220.

What is the entry-level private detectives and investigators salary in Indiana?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $36,500 per year ($17.55/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,990.

How many people work as private detectives and investigators in Indiana?

About 480 people work in this occupation in Indiana, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Indiana a good state for private detectives and investigators?

Indiana ranks #44 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.66x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Indiana.

Which state pays private detectives and investigators the most?

Oregon has the highest median wage at $76,480 per year, followed by Connecticut ($75,010) and District of Columbia ($72,720).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes