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How much does a private detective and investigator make in St. Louis?

$42,930a year

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. That is $20.64 an hour or $3,578 a month.

Hourly
$20.64
Vs. national median
-16%
Rank among cities
109 of 143
Jobs in the area
230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,120Median: $42,930Highest 10%: $103,500
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$37,120$17.85
25th$40,460$19.45
Median$42,930$20.64
75th$59,660$28.68
90th$103,500$49.76

Other cities in Missouri

Median yearly pay for private detective and investigators.

Kansas City, MO$44,640
Springfield, MO$38,690
Private Detective and Investigator salary in Missouri Private Detective and Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in St. Louis

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$99,270
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$93,380
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$83,990
Detective and Criminal Investigator$80,930
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$75,800
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$73,240
Firefighter$68,970
Transportation Security Screener$62,650
First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$58,330
Correctional Officer and Jailer$50,980
Salaries for every job in St. Louis, MO

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour in St. Louis?

The median hourly pay in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $20.64 ($42,930 a year).

Do private detective and investigators make more in St. Louis than the national average?

No: $42,930 against $51,220 nationally, 16% less.

How does St. Louis compare with the rest of Missouri?

The median in Missouri is $41,600, so St. Louis pays 3% more.

Where does St. Louis rank for private detective and investigator pay?

109 of 143 metro areas with data.

How much does a private detective and investigator make starting out in St. Louis?

The lowest-paid 10% make $37,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $103,500 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.