SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · United States
Private Detectives and Investigators
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators across the United States is $51,220 per year, measured over 35,580 jobs. The highest state median is in Oregon, at $76,480.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Private Detectives and Investigators
Pay for this occupation varies by 95.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Oregon pays $76,480 and Mississippi pays $39,060.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $76,480 | 610 | |
| 2 | Connecticut | $75,010 | 400 | |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $72,720 | — | |
| 4 | Vermont | $67,910 | 90 | |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $65,370 | 280 | |
| 6 | Washington | $64,080 | 750 | |
| 7 | California | $61,250 | 4,190 | |
| 8 | Arizona | $61,030 | 790 | |
| 9 | Illinois | $60,210 | 1,300 | |
| 10 | New York | $59,140 | 1,300 |
States with the most Private Detectives and Investigators jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 4,190 | $61,250 | |
| 2 | Florida | 3,660 | $50,640 | |
| 3 | Texas | 3,220 | $51,810 | |
| 4 | North Carolina | 1,710 | $52,890 | |
| 5 | Ohio | 1,560 | $47,200 | |
| 6 | Georgia | 1,460 | $45,060 | |
| 7 | Illinois | 1,300 | $60,210 | |
| 8 | New York | 1,300 | $59,140 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 1,280 | $56,160 | |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 1,220 | $51,200 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $99,680 | 310 |
| 2 | Salem | $81,070 | 180 |
| 3 | Portland | $78,330 | 270 |
| 4 | Hartford | $77,540 | 150 |
| 5 | Waterbury | $76,630 | 50 |
| 6 | Seattle | $75,670 | 430 |
| 7 | Charlotte | $73,430 | 860 |
| 8 | Manchester | $70,780 | 100 |
| 9 | Minneapolis | $70,220 | 410 |
| 10 | Burlington | $70,190 | 50 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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