Private Detectives and Investigators salary in the United States
$36,740
10th
$40,700
25th
$51,220
Median
$73,990
75th
$97,630
90th
National median
$51,220
2025 OEWS
Mean
$60,150
Hourly median
$24.62
Employment
35,580
Top paying locations with published data
| Location | Median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | $99,680 | 310 |
| Salem, OR | $81,070 | 180 |
| Portland, OR | $78,330 | 270 |
| Hartford, CT | $77,540 | 150 |
| Waterbury, CT | $76,630 | 50 |
| OR | $76,480 | 610 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,670 | 430 |
| CT | $75,010 | 400 |
| Charlotte, NC | $73,430 | 860 |
| DC | $72,720 | — |
| Manchester, NH | $70,780 | 100 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $70,220 | 410 |
| Burlington, VT | $70,190 | 50 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 | 430 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,310 | 970 |
| VT | $67,910 | 90 |
| NH | $65,370 | 280 |
| New Haven, CT | $65,030 | 70 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $64,400 | 610 |
| WA | $64,080 | 750 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $64,080 | 60 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,060 | 190 |
| Eugene, OR | $63,940 | 30 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $62,520 | 40 |
| Washington, DC | $62,300 | 790 |
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025. Published survey snapshot, not a real-time market rate.