How much does a private detective and investigator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $24.63 an hour or $4,268 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.63
- Average (mean)
- $60,150
- Jobs
- 35,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,740 | $17.66 | |
| 25th | $40,700 | $19.57 | |
| Median | $51,220 | $24.63 | |
| 75th | $73,990 | $35.57 | |
| 90th | $97,630 | $46.94 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
| Utah | $57,910 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 |
| Virginia | $56,160 |
| Delaware | $55,710 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 |
| Alaska | $53,440 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 |
| Texas | $51,810 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 |
| Florida | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 |
| Colorado | $48,730 |
| Michigan | $48,650 |
| Idaho | $47,910 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 |
| Montana | $47,430 |
| Ohio | $47,200 |
| Alabama | $46,810 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 |
| Kansas | $45,260 |
| Georgia | $45,060 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 |
| Maine | $43,830 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 |
| Indiana | $41,830 |
| Missouri | $41,600 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 |
| Iowa | $41,110 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Memphis, TN | $99,680 |
| Salem, OR | $81,070 |
| Portland, OR | $78,330 |
| Hartford, CT | $77,540 |
| Waterbury, CT | $76,630 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,670 |
| Charlotte, NC | $73,430 |
| Manchester, NH | $70,780 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $70,220 |
| Burlington, VT | $70,190 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,310 |
| New Haven, CT | $65,030 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $64,400 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $64,080 |
In other countries
Private Detective and Investigator belongs to the international group "Legal and related associate professionals".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Animal Control Worker$45,660
- Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator$43,370
- Security Guard$38,020
- Crossing Guard and Flagger$38,100
- Lifeguard$33,580
- Transportation Security Screener$66,770
- School Bus Monitor$35,100
- Protective Service Worker$42,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $24.63 ($51,220 a year).
How much does a private detective and investigator make a month?
About $4,268 a month before tax, based on a median of $51,220 a year.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,740 or less a year ($17.66 an hour); the top 10% make $97,630 or more.
Which state pays private detective and investigators the most?
Oregon, with a median of $76,480 a year, followed by Connecticut ($75,010) and District of Columbia ($72,720).
Which city pays private detective and investigators the most?
Memphis, TN-MS-AR, with a median of $99,680 a year.
How many private detective and investigators are there in the United States?
About 35,580 people work as private detective and investigators.
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.