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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in New York, NY

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Private Detectives and Investigators in New York, NY have a median annual salary of $59,140, with 1,040 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $44,090 at the 10th percentile to $108,120 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$59,140

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$28.44

Employment

1,040

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$44,090
10th
$49,160
25th
$59,140
Median
$87,080
75th
$108,120
90th

Local compared with national

New York, NY

$59,140

Median annual · 2025

United States

$51,220

Median annual · 2025

The New York, NY median is 15.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $7,920).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 4.1
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.8
  6. 6.WritingImportance 3.6
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.5
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 3.4
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 3.4
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.4
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Service OrientationImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Computer imaging software
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • LexisNexis
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
  • Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
  • Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
  • Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
  • Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
  • Obtain and analyze information on suspects, crimes, or disturbances to solve cases, to identify criminal activity, or to gather information for court cases.
  • Testify at hearings or court trials to present evidence.
  • Question persons to obtain evidence for cases of divorce, child custody, or missing persons or information about individuals' character or financial status.
  • Observe and document activities of individuals to detect unlawful acts or to obtain evidence for cases, using binoculars and still or video cameras.
  • Confer with establishment officials, security departments, police, or postal officials to identify problems, provide information, or receive instructions.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other locations

Other occupations in New York, NY