SOC 339021

Private Detectives and Investigators

Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.

National Median

$52,370

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$52,370

Entry Level (10th pct)

$37,250

Experienced (90th pct)

$98,770

Total Employed

38,700

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$37,250 - $41,940
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$41,940 - $75,310
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$75,310 - $98,770

Highest Paying Locations for Private Detectives and Investigators

Lexington Park, MD

$80,060

+52.9% vs national

Salem, OR

$79,550

+51.9% vs national

Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

$79,110

+51.1% vs national

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

$77,680

+48.3% vs national

Oregon

$77,320

+47.6% vs national

Private Detectives and Investigators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Lexington Park, MD	$80,060	30
Salem, OR	$79,550	170
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$79,110	230
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$77,680	1,320
Oregon	$77,320	480
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$76,730	670
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$75,400	540
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$75,230	760
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC	$74,720	740
Maryland	$74,360	560
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$73,530	140
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$73,530	70
Illinois	$73,070	1,770
Minnesota	$72,070	940
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$69,550	480
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$69,500	380
Syracuse, NY	$69,120	60
Jefferson City, MO	$68,330	30
Connecticut	$68,290	400
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$67,520	N/A
Wyoming	$67,360	40
Vermont	$66,070	N/A
Washington	$65,370	840
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$65,260	70
Arizona	$64,960	980
Richmond, VA	$63,580	170
Albuquerque, NM	$62,600	110
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area	$62,230	60
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$62,190	490
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$61,850	50
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$60,450	210
Tyler, TX	$60,450	50
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$60,280	390
California	$60,210	5,260
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$59,950	1,780
New York	$59,840	1,850
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$59,840	1,740
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$59,840	340
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$59,640	110
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$59,040	330
Anchorage, AK	$58,880	50
Vallejo, CA	$58,250	40
Ogden, UT	$57,980	50
Massachusetts	$57,840	480
New Haven, CT	$57,770	70
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$57,680	500
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$57,650	90
Greenville, NC	$57,590	40
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$57,130	100
Cleveland, OH	$57,030	270

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators?

The national median annual salary for Private Detectives and Investigators is $52,370, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Private Detectives and Investigatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Private Detectives and Investigatorss is Lexington Park, MD, with a median salary of $80,060.

How much can an experienced Private Detectives and Investigators make?

Top-earning Private Detectives and Investigatorss (90th percentile) make $98,770 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.