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How much does a private detective and investigator make in Chicago?

$68,310a year

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $32.84 an hour or $5,693 a month.

Hourly
$32.84
Vs. national median
+33%
Rank among cities
12 of 143
Jobs in the area
970
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,670Median: $68,310Highest 10%: $97,780
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$40,670$19.55
25th$45,570$21.91
Median$68,310$32.84
75th$79,140$38.05
90th$97,780$47.01

Other cities in Illinois

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.

St. Louis, MO$42,930
Private Detective and Investigator salary in Illinois Private Detective and Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Chicago

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$135,100
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$126,200
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$107,800
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$105,500
Detective and Criminal Investigator$102,300
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$90,920
Correctional Officer and Jailer$84,550
Firefighter$82,820
Transportation Security Screener$70,570
Fire Inspector and Investigator$62,400
Salaries for every job in Chicago, IL

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Chicago?

The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $32.84 ($68,310 a year).

Do private detective and investigators make more in Chicago than the national average?

Yes: $68,310 against $51,220 nationally, 33% more.

How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?

The median in Illinois is $60,210, so Chicago pays 13% more.

Where does Chicago rank for private detective and investigator pay?

12 of 143 metro areas with data.

How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Chicago?

The lowest-paid 10% make $40,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $97,780 or more.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.