Minnesota Median
$57,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#12 of 49
600 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Minnesota?
Private Detectives and Investigators in Minnesota take home a median of $57,880 annually — roughly $27.83 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $51,220.
Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $40,520 while the top 10% make $101,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,930 and $83,670 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Minnesota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,520 | $19.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,880 | $27.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,670 | $40.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,360 | $48.73 |
|
How Minnesota compares
Minnesota ranks 12th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Oregon $76,480Connecticut $75,010District of Columbia $72,720Vermont $67,910New Hampshire $65,370Washington $64,080California $61,250Arizona $61,030Illinois $60,210New York $59,140Utah $57,910Virginia $56,160Delaware $55,710New Jersey $54,710Rhode Island $54,620Wyoming $54,310Alaska $53,440North Carolina $52,890Texas $51,810Nebraska $51,750South Carolina $51,530Pennsylvania $51,200Florida $50,640Massachusetts $50,240Tennessee $49,360Colorado $48,730Michigan $48,650Idaho $47,910Arkansas $47,750Kentucky $47,650Montana $47,430Ohio $47,200Alabama $46,810West Virginia $46,410Hawaii $45,750Kansas $45,260Georgia $45,060South Dakota $44,840North Dakota $44,310Maine $43,830Louisiana $41,950Wisconsin $41,850Indiana $41,830Missouri $41,600New Mexico $41,600Iowa $41,110Oklahoma $39,680Mississippi $39,060
Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in Minnesota
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Minnesota pay ($57,880) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Minnesota?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Minnesota is $57,880 per year, or about $27.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,520 at the entry level to $101,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 13% more than the national median of $51,220. Minnesota ranks 12th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — Minnesota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $57,880 a year. About 600 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in Minnesota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Private Detectives and Investigators salary report
Related salaries
$38,100
median pay · 94,000 employed
$45,660
median pay · 12,000 employed
$43,370
median pay · 10,000 employed
$46,730
median pay · 9,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
$38,020
median pay · 1,283,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.