Private Detectives and Investigators pay in New York
In New York, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $28.43 an hour ($59,140 a year). About 1,300 people work in this job there.
That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($51,220). New York ranks 10th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in New York
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $19.69 | $40,940 |
| 25% of workers | $22.10 | $45,970 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.43 | $59,140 |
| 75% of workers | $38.90 | $80,910 |
| 90% of workers | $49.81 | $103,610 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in New York metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $53,930 | 40 |
| Syracuse | $50,730 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $50,540 | 80 |
| Rochester | $50,510 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $43,890 | 60 |
New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 New York
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $207,860 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,790 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $68,410 |
| Compliance Officers | $90,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $124,080 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $53,430 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $107,490 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $101,240 |
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.