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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Iowa
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Iowa?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$41,110
Median Annual Salary
▼
-8.8% vs 2024
$48,190
Mean Salary
$41,110
Median Salary
$19.76
Hourly Rate
170 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by percentile in Iowa
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa earn a median salary of $41,110 per year ($3,425/month).
This is 20.8% below the national average of $51,911.
Iowa ranks #47 out of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay.
Approximately 170 people work in this occupation across Iowa.
Salaries decreased by 8.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Private Detectives and Investigators
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
3.88
Critical Thinking
3.88
Complex Problem Solving
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
4.21
Customer and Personal Service
4.16
Law and Government
4.02
Computers and Electronics
3.56
Administrative
3.55
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(37.7% of workers)
Salary Range: Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa range from $36,920 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $64,080 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,380 and $54,680.
Median $41,110
P10: $36,920P25: $38,380P75: $54,680P90: $64,080
10th
$36,920
25th
$38,380
Median
$41,110
75th
$54,680
90th
$64,080
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,920
$17.75
$3,076
25th Percentile
$38,380
$18.45
$3,198
Median (50th)
$41,110
$19.76
$3,425
75th Percentile
$54,680
$26.29
$4,556
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$64,080
$30.81
$5,340
Note: The mean (average) salary of $48,190 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#47
Iowa ranks #47 of 49 states
$51,911
National avg. for Private Detectives and Investigators
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa is $41,110 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $48,190.
What is the salary range for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa?
Salaries for Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa range from $36,920 at the 10th percentile to $64,080 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,380 and $54,680.
What is the starting salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa?
Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators positions in Iowa typically start around $36,920 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,380 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 170 people are employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Private Detectives and Investigators in Iowa is approximately $19.76 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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