How much does a private detective and investigator make in Columbus?
$51,780a year
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area. That is $24.89 an hour or $4,315 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.89
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 48 of 143
- Jobs in the area
- 390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,050Median: $51,780Highest 10%: $102,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,050 | $19.25 | |
| 25th | $45,690 | $21.97 | |
| Median | $51,780 | $24.89 | |
| 75th | $79,500 | $38.22 | |
| 90th | $102,800 | $49.43 |
Other cities in Ohio
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.
| Dayton, OH | $48,510 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $46,190 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,660 |
| Akron, OH | $41,420 |
| Canton, OH | $38,750 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Columbus, OHFrequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, OH metro area is $24.89 ($51,780 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in Columbus than the national average?
Yes: $51,780 against $51,220 nationally, 1% more.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Ohio?
The median in Ohio is $47,200, so Columbus pays 10% more.
Where does Columbus rank for private detective and investigator pay?
48 of 143 metro areas with data.
How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,050 or less a year; the top 10% make $102,800 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.