Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Washington
In Washington, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $30.81 an hour ($64,080 a year). About 750 people work in this job there.
That is 25% higher than the U.S. median ($51,220). Washington ranks 6th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Washington
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.70 | $43,060 |
| 25% of workers | $22.39 | $46,580 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.81 | $64,080 |
| 75% of workers | $40.72 | $84,700 |
| 90% of workers | $50.11 | $104,220 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Washington metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $75,670 | 430 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $61,460 | 90 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $56,530 | 30 |
Washington unemployment rate: 4.9% (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 Washington
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $154,130 |
| Compliance Officers | $88,790 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $79,400 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $66,330 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,930 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 |
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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.