The average salary for a private detectives and investigator in the United States is $60,270, but the range typically falls between $40,130 and $74,830. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $28.98, with a range between $19.29 and $35.98.
There are approximately 34,600 people employed as a private detectives and investigator in the United States. With California, Florida, Texas employing the highest number of private detectives and investigators.The state with the best pay for a private detectives and investigator is Oregon, with an average annual salary of $72,660, while Mississippi has the lowest average annual salary of $44,350.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Median | $49,540 | $23.82 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,600 | $46.44 |
The salary of a private detectives and investigator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a private detectives and investigator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for private detectives and investigators are Oregon, Connecticut, Washington, Rhode Island, Minnesota while the worst states are Mississippi, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nevada.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,340 | $53,190 | $71,170 |
| Alaska | $40,880 | $66,220 | $100,780 |
| Arizona | $38,480 | $66,800 | $103,700 |
| Arkansas | $35,190 | $58,430 | $102,640 |
| California | $37,520 | $63,880 | $100,370 |
| Colorado | $38,590 | $58,460 | $81,860 |
| Connecticut | $37,660 | $65,930 | $91,350 |
| Delaware | $39,670 | $50,490 | $65,740 |
| District of Columbia | $43,540 | $61,370 | $81,740 |
| Florida | $35,460 | $61,930 | $97,740 |
| Georgia | $33,860 | $63,030 | $107,530 |
| Hawaii | $40,050 | $68,190 | $136,280 |
| Idaho | $26,190 | $42,430 | $48,780 |
| Illinois | $39,750 | $66,290 | $93,100 |
| Indiana | $35,000 | $50,620 | $77,690 |
| Iowa | $37,240 | $53,200 | $79,430 |
| Kansas | $31,200 | $42,000 | $60,940 |
| Kentucky | $36,340 | $49,380 | $67,190 |
| Louisiana | $34,280 | $47,000 | $66,080 |
| Maine | $39,060 | $48,640 | $63,910 |
| Maryland | $39,650 | $63,370 | $88,980 |
| Massachusetts | $39,810 | $64,150 | $107,560 |
| Michigan | $35,910 | $54,660 | $80,600 |
| Minnesota | $39,670 | $66,560 | $100,030 |
| Mississippi | $23,270 | $44,350 | $87,660 |
| Missouri | $35,400 | $55,960 | $91,270 |
| Montana | $37,760 | $52,180 | $82,160 |
| Nebraska | $39,520 | $58,850 | $90,910 |
| Nevada | $32,850 | $50,050 | $87,600 |
| New Hampshire | $35,350 | $51,390 | $64,940 |
| New Jersey | $38,060 | $58,670 | $97,400 |
| New Mexico | $35,280 | $49,740 | $73,210 |
| New York | $39,160 | $71,560 | $119,870 |
| North Carolina | $36,340 | $66,820 | $96,860 |
| North Dakota | $30,440 | $40,800 | $47,970 |
| Ohio | $35,590 | $55,170 | $75,590 |
| Oklahoma | $34,280 | $46,420 | $71,630 |
| Oregon | $43,150 | $72,660 | $96,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,770 | $60,550 | $91,520 |
| Rhode Island | $43,460 | $65,140 | $92,740 |
| South Carolina | $35,860 | $52,470 | $82,030 |
| South Dakota | $38,860 | $51,790 | $73,230 |
| Tennessee | $32,280 | $54,400 | $96,000 |
| Texas | $34,660 | $58,120 | $95,150 |
| Utah | $36,110 | $52,020 | $82,450 |
| Vermont | $38,140 | $49,490 | $70,300 |
| Virginia | $35,360 | $71,340 | $119,760 |
| Washington | $42,020 | $78,320 | $104,240 |
| West Virginia | $19,960 | $46,130 | $107,340 |
| Wisconsin | $33,270 | $53,850 | $81,430 |
Even between cities, the salary of a private detectives and investigator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for private detectives and investigators is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, WA with an average salary of $84,650.The city with the lowest average salary for private detectives and investigators is Johnson City, TN with an average salary of $37,240.
Areas with highest average salaries for private detectives and investigators
Areas with lowest average salaries for private detectives and investigators
The number of private detectives and investigators in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of private detectives and investigators has increased by 2,400. On average, the number of private detectives and investigators has been increasing by 1.9% each year. The salary of private detectives and investigators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of private detectives and investigators has increased by $170. On average, the salary of private detectives and investigators has been increasing by 0.1% each year.
Private Detectives and Investigators are part of the protective service occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for private detectives and investigators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all protective service occupations jobs here.
$31,340 per year
$33,970 per year
$50,430 per year
$61,500 per year
$67,870 per year
$106,000 per year
