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

$47,690a year

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area. That is $22.93 an hour or $3,974 a month.

Hourly
$22.93
Vs. national median
-7%
Rank among cities
76 of 143
Jobs in the area
350
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,450Median: $47,690Highest 10%: $88,050
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$36,450$17.52
25th$38,970$18.74
Median$47,690$22.93
75th$64,080$30.81
90th$88,050$42.33

Other cities in Michigan

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.

Grand Rapids, MI$42,140
Private Detective and Investigator salary in Michigan Private Detective and Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Detroit

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$98,140
Detective and Criminal Investigator$95,820
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$86,990
Fire Inspector and Investigator$86,630
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$86,490
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$85,300
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$78,450
Transportation Security Screener$69,640
Correctional Officer and Jailer$67,920
Firefighter$62,730
Salaries for every job in Detroit, MI

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly pay in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $22.93 ($47,690 a year).

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

No: $47,690 against $51,220 nationally, 7% less.

How does Detroit compare with the rest of Michigan?

The median in Michigan is $48,650, so Detroit pays 2% less.

Where does Detroit rank for private detective and investigator pay?

76 of 143 metro areas with data.

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

The lowest-paid 10% make $36,450 or less a year; the top 10% make $88,050 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.