Private Detectives and Investigators pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $24.62 an hour ($51,220 a year). About 35,580 people work in this job there.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.66 | $36,740 |
| 25% of workers | $19.57 | $40,700 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.62 | $51,220 |
| 75% of workers | $35.57 | $73,990 |
| 90% of workers | $46.94 | $97,630 |
Best-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | 0 |
| Vermont | $67,910 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | 750 |
| California | $61,250 | 4,190 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | 790 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | 1,300 |
| New York | $59,140 | 1,300 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $46,810
- Arizona · $61,030
- California · $61,250
- Colorado · $48,730
- Florida · $50,640
- Georgia · $45,060
- Illinois · $60,210
- Louisiana · $41,950
- Michigan · $48,650
- Minnesota · $57,880
- Missouri · $41,600
- New York · $59,140
- North Carolina · $52,890
- Ohio · $47,200
- Oregon · $76,480
- Pennsylvania · $51,200
- South Carolina · $51,530
- Tennessee · $49,360
- Texas · $51,810
- Virginia · $56,160
- Washington · $64,080
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $159,670 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 |
| Compliance Officers | $80,730 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,890 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $54,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,040 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,100 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,790 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.