How much does a private detective and investigator make in New York?
$59,140a year
Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in New York. That is $28.43 an hour or $4,928 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.43
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among states
- 10 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 1,300
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,940Median: $59,140Highest 10%: $103,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,940 | $19.68 | |
| 25th | $45,970 | $22.10 | |
| Median | $59,140 | $28.43 | |
| 75th | $80,910 | $38.90 | |
| 90th | $103,600 | $49.81 |
Cities in New York
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| New York, NY | $59,140 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $53,930 |
| Syracuse, NY | $50,730 |
| Buffalo, NY | $50,540 |
| Rochester, NY | $50,510 |
| Albany, NY | $43,890 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for private detective and investigators.
| 7. California | $61,250 |
| 8. Arizona | $61,030 |
| 9. Illinois | $60,210 |
| 10. New York | $59,140 |
| 11. Utah | $57,910 |
| 12. Minnesota | $57,880 |
| 13. Virginia | $56,160 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in New York?
The median hourly pay in New York is $28.43 ($59,140 a year).
Do private detective and investigators make more in New York than the national average?
Yes: $59,140 against $51,220 nationally, 15% more.
Where does New York rank for private detective and investigator pay?
New York ranks 10 of 49 states.
Which city in New York pays private detective and investigators the most?
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with a median of $59,140 a year.
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.