SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Lansing
Lansing-East Lansing, MI · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lansing, MI is $37,750 per year, substantially below the national median of $51,220 — a gap of 26.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lansing, MI is $37,750 per year, substantially below the national median of $51,220 — a gap of 26.3%. Pay ranges from under $35,050 at the tenth percentile to more than $71,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,730 to $55,750.
Employment stands at 40, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Detroit leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 401st of 457 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,050 | −31.6% |
| 25th | $36,730 | −28.3% |
| Median (50th) | $37,750 | −26.3% |
| 75th | $55,750 | +8.8% |
| 90th | $71,990 | +40.6% |
| Mean | $46,930 | −8.4% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $47,690 | 350 | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $42,140 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lansing run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $37,750 goes as far as $39,241 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,241US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,750 a year, 26.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,050 to $71,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $47,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lansing, MI?
The median annual wage is $37,750, or $18.15 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 Lansing, MI is 26.3% 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 Lansing, MI earns more than $71,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,050 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 Detroit, at $47,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Lansing, MI. 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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