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

$60,910a year

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. That is $29.28 an hour or $5,076 a month.

Hourly
$29.28
Vs. national median
+19%
Rank among cities
23 of 143
Jobs in the area
230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,350Median: $60,910Highest 10%: $119,300
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$40,350$19.40
25th$45,570$21.91
Median$60,910$29.28
75th$89,180$42.88
90th$119,300$57.37

Other cities in Massachusetts

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.

Providence, RI$46,560
Private Detective and Investigator salary in Massachusetts Private Detective and Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Boston

Same field, median yearly pay.

Detective and Criminal Investigator$110,200
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$108,200
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$105,900
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$96,740
Correctional Officer and Jailer$89,060
Fire Inspector and Investigator$83,410
Bailiff$79,570
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$78,180
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$76,300
Transportation Security Screener$76,130
Salaries for every job in Boston, MA

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $29.28 ($60,910 a year).

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

Yes: $60,910 against $51,220 nationally, 19% more.

How does Boston compare with the rest of Massachusetts?

The median in Massachusetts is $50,240, so Boston pays 21% more.

Where does Boston rank for private detective and investigator pay?

23 of 143 metro areas with data.

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

The lowest-paid 10% make $40,350 or less a year; the top 10% make $119,300 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.