SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Central Missouri
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Central Missouri, MO is $37,170 per year, substantially below the national median of $51,220 — a gap of 27.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Central Missouri, MO is $37,170 per year, substantially below the national median of $51,220 — a gap of 27.4%. Half of workers earn between $36,050 and $41,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,950 and the ninetieth at $47,860.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Kansas City records the highest median at $44,640. Of the 371 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 291st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,950 | −31.8% |
| 25th | $36,050 | −29.6% |
| Median (50th) | $37,170 | −27.4% |
| 75th | $41,600 | −18.8% |
| 90th | $47,860 | −6.6% |
| Mean | $41,330 | −19.3% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $44,640 | 220 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $42,930 | 230 | |
| 3 | Springfield | $38,690 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $37,170 goes as far as $40,936 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,936US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,170 a year, 27.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,950 to $47,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kansas City, at $44,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Central Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $37,170, or $17.87 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $51,220, so pay in Central Missouri, MO is 27.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Missouri, MO earns more than $47,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Kansas City, at $44,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Central Missouri, MO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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