SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Utah
Utah · 3 metro areas compared
In Utah the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators is $57,910 a year, which is 13.1% higher than the national figure of $51,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Utah the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators is $57,910 a year, which is 13.1% higher than the national figure of $51,220. Half of workers earn between $48,460 and $61,090. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,690 and the ninetieth at $89,900.
The area has 350 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. Among the 49 states with published data for this occupation, Utah ranks 11th by median wage. Salt Lake City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $57,910. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 363rd of 695 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,690 | −24.5% |
| 25th | $48,460 | −5.4% |
| Median (50th) | $57,910 | +13.1% |
| 75th | $61,090 | +19.3% |
| 90th | $89,900 | +75.5% |
| Mean | $59,830 | +16.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Utah
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salt Lake City | $57,910 | 240 | |
| 2 | Ogden | $55,450 | 40 | |
| 3 | Provo | $55,420 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Utah sit close to the national average, so $57,910 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$57,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,554US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,910 a year, 13.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,690 to $89,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 350 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 11th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Salt Lake City, at $57,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Utah?
The median annual wage is $57,910, or $27.84 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 Utah is 13.1% 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 Utah earns more than $89,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,690 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 Salt Lake City, at $57,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 350 jobs in this occupation in Utah. 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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