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

$75,670a year

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $36.38 an hour or $6,306 a month.

Hourly
$36.38
Vs. national median
+48%
Rank among cities
6 of 143
Jobs in the area
430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,510Median: $75,670Highest 10%: $115,200
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$45,510$21.88
25th$47,650$22.91
Median$75,670$36.38
75th$93,900$45.14
90th$115,200$55.38

Other cities in Washington

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.

Portland, OR$78,330
Spokane, WA$61,460
Private Detective and Investigator salary in Washington Private Detective and Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Seattle

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$158,500
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$134,800
Fire Inspector and Investigator$127,900
Detective and Criminal Investigator$123,800
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$115,100
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$105,600
Firefighter$101,100
Bailiff$100,600
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$87,930
Correctional Officer and Jailer$81,550
Salaries for every job in Seattle, WA

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $36.38 ($75,670 a year).

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

Yes: $75,670 against $51,220 nationally, 48% more.

How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?

The median in Washington is $64,080, so Seattle pays 18% more.

Where does Seattle rank for private detective and investigator pay?

6 of 143 metro areas with data.

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

The lowest-paid 10% make $45,510 or less a year; the top 10% make $115,200 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.