SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Colorado
Colorado · 3 metro areas compared
At $48,730, median pay for Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado tracks the national median of $51,220 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $48,730, median pay for Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado tracks the national median of $51,220 closely. Pay ranges from under $41,110 at the tenth percentile to more than $86,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,150 to $67,800.
The area has 540 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Colorado ranks number 27th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Fort Collins records the highest median at $62,520. Of the 738 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 554th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,110 | −19.7% |
| 25th | $44,150 | −13.8% |
| Median (50th) | $48,730 | −4.9% |
| 75th | $67,800 | +32.4% |
| 90th | $86,430 | +68.7% |
| Mean | $58,910 | +15.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | $62,520 | 40 | |
| 2 | Denver | $52,000 | 340 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $42,140 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $48,730 buys what $47,265 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,265US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,730 a year, 4.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,110 to $86,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 27th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fort Collins, at $62,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado?
The median annual wage is $48,730, or $23.43 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 Colorado is 4.9% 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 Colorado earns more than $86,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,110 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 Fort Collins, at $62,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 540 jobs in this occupation in Colorado. 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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