SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Tampa
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tampa, FL is $51,390 per year, close to the national median of $51,220 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tampa, FL is $51,390 per year, close to the national median of $51,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $37,740 and $62,480. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,650 and the ninetieth at $76,840.
Employment stands at 660, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Deltona records the highest median at $59,350. Of the 629 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 344th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,650 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $37,740 | −26.3% |
| Median (50th) | $51,390 | +0.3% |
| 75th | $62,480 | +22.0% |
| 90th | $76,840 | +50.0% |
| Mean | $54,910 | +7.2% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deltona | $59,350 | 120 | |
| 2 | Tallahassee | $56,510 | 120 | |
| 3 | Crestview | $56,370 | 40 | |
| 4 | Miami | $54,720 | 1,030 | |
| 5 | North Port | $51,950 | 80 | |
| 6 | Gainesville | $51,580 | 40 | |
| 7 | Cape Coral | $49,870 | 90 | |
| 8 | Panama City | $48,630 | 40 | |
| 9 | Port St. Lucie | $48,430 | 60 | |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $48,060 | 310 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tampa run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $51,390 buys what $49,700 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 3.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,700US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,390 a year, 0.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,650 to $76,840 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 660 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Deltona, at $59,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tampa, FL?
The median annual wage is $51,390, or $24.71 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 Tampa, FL is 0.3% 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 Tampa, FL earns more than $76,840 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,650 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 Deltona, at $59,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 660 jobs in this occupation in Tampa, FL. 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.
Explore related data