Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $51,220 · Median hourly: $24.62 · Employment: 35,580
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 25th | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Median | $51,220 | $24.62 |
| 75th | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| 90th | $97,630 | $46.94 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 33-9021
- Total U.S. employment: 35,580
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
The numbers in context
At $24.62 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $51,210 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $51,220.
Across the United States, 35,580 private detectives and investigators are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
Private Detectives and Investigators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,810 | $22.50 | -8.6% | 530 |
| Alaska | $53,440 | $25.69 | +4.3% | 70 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | $29.34 | +19.2% | 790 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 | $22.96 | -6.8% | 370 |
| California | $61,250 | $29.45 | +19.6% | 4,190 |
| Colorado | $48,730 | $23.43 | -4.9% | 540 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | $36.06 | +46.4% | 400 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | $26.78 | +8.8% | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | $34.96 | +42.0% | 0 |
| Florida | $50,640 | $24.35 | -1.1% | 3,660 |
| Georgia | $45,060 | $21.66 | -12.0% | 1,460 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 | $21.99 | -10.7% | 70 |
| Idaho | $47,910 | $23.03 | -6.5% | 210 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | $28.95 | +17.6% | 1,300 |
| Indiana | $41,830 | $20.11 | -18.3% | 480 |
| Iowa | $41,110 | $19.77 | -19.7% | 170 |
| Kansas | $45,260 | $21.76 | -11.6% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 | $22.91 | -7.0% | 350 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | $20.17 | -18.1% | 860 |
| Maine | $43,830 | $21.07 | -14.4% | 210 |
| Maryland | — | — | — | 560 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 | $24.15 | -1.9% | 280 |
| Michigan | $48,650 | $23.39 | -5.0% | 850 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 | $27.83 | +13.0% | 600 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 | $18.78 | -23.7% | 330 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | $20.00 | -18.8% | 590 |
| Montana | $47,430 | $22.80 | -7.4% | 70 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 | $24.88 | +1.0% | 160 |
| Nevada | — | — | — | 350 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | $31.43 | +27.6% | 280 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 | $26.31 | +6.8% | 410 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | $20.00 | -18.8% | 0 |
| New York | $59,140 | $28.43 | +15.5% | 1,300 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 | $25.43 | +3.3% | 1,710 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $21.30 | -13.5% | 60 |
| Ohio | $47,200 | $22.69 | -7.8% | 1,560 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 | $19.08 | -22.5% | 370 |
| Oregon | $76,480 | $36.77 | +49.3% | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 | $24.62 | -0.0% | 1,220 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 | $26.26 | +6.6% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 | $24.78 | +0.6% | 620 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 | $21.56 | -12.5% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 | $23.73 | -3.6% | 940 |
| Texas | $51,810 | $24.91 | +1.2% | 3,220 |
| Utah | $57,910 | $27.84 | +13.1% | 350 |
| Vermont | $67,910 | $32.65 | +32.6% | 90 |
| Virginia | $56,160 | $27.00 | +9.6% | 1,280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | $30.81 | +25.1% | 750 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 | $22.31 | -9.4% | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 | $20.12 | -18.3% | 410 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 | $26.11 | +6.0% | 40 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for private detectives and investigators?
The median annual wage for private detectives and investigators is $51,220 ($24.62 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays private detectives and investigators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many private detectives and investigators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 35,580 private detectives and investigators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do private detectives and investigators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $24.62. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.