SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — New York
New York · 6 metro areas compared
In New York the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators is $59,140 a year, which is 15.5% higher than the national figure of $51,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In New York the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators is $59,140 a year, which is 15.5% higher than the national figure of $51,220. Half of workers earn between $45,970 and $80,910. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,940 and the ninetieth at $103,610.
The area has 1,300 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.59 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 49 states with published data for this occupation, New York ranks 10th by median wage. New York leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $59,140. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 482nd of 776 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,940 | −20.1% |
| 25th | $45,970 | −10.2% |
| Median (50th) | $59,140 | +15.5% |
| 75th | $80,910 | +58.0% |
| 90th | $103,610 | +102.3% |
| Mean | $68,310 | +33.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New York
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New York run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $59,140 buys what $54,810 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,810US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,140 a year, 15.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,940 to $103,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,300 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 10th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New York, at $59,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in New York?
The median annual wage is $59,140, or $28.43 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 New York is 15.5% higher. 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 New York earns more than $103,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,940 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 New York, at $59,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,300 jobs in this occupation in New York. 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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