How much does a private detective and investigator make?
The median private detective and investigator in the United States earns $51,220 per year, about $24.62 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all private detectives and investigators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-9021.
Private detective and investigator salary range
Pay for private detectives and investigators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,740 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $97,630. The average (mean) wage of $60,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $40,700 | $19.57 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,220 | $24.62 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 | |
| 90th percentile | $97,630 | $46.94 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for private detectives and investigators (SOC 33-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Private detective and investigator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Private detectives and investigators earn the most in Oregon at $76,480 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $39,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | N/A |
| Vermont | $67,910 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | 750 |
| California | $61,250 | 4,190 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | 790 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | 1,300 |
| New York | $59,140 | 1,300 |
| Utah | $57,910 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 | 600 |
| Virginia | $56,160 | 1,280 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 | 410 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 | 40 |
| Alaska | $53,440 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $51,810 | 3,220 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 | 1,220 |
| Florida | $50,640 | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 | 940 |
| Colorado | $48,730 | 540 |
| Michigan | $48,650 | 850 |
| Idaho | $47,910 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 | 350 |
| Montana | $47,430 | 70 |
| Ohio | $47,200 | 1,560 |
| Alabama | $46,810 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 | 170 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 | 70 |
| Kansas | $45,260 | 280 |
| Georgia | $45,060 | 1,460 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | 60 |
| Maine | $43,830 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 | 410 |
| Indiana | $41,830 | 480 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | N/A |
| Iowa | $41,110 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 | 330 |
State median wages for private detectives and investigators (SOC 33-9021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for private detectives and investigators
The BLS projects employment of private detectives and investigators to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 39,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 41,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,200 openings a year for private detectives and investigators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a private detective and investigator
The typical entry-level education for private detectives and investigators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a private detective and investigator earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $76,480) and the lowest (Mississippi, $39,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 35,580 people work as private detectives and investigators in the United States. At $51,220 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Private detective and investigator salary FAQ
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a private detective and investigator is $24.62. The middle half of private detectives and investigators earn between $19.57 and $35.57 per hour.
What is the highest private detective and investigator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of private detectives and investigators earn more than $97,630 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a private detective and investigator make a year?
The median annual salary for a private detective and investigator is $51,220. The average (mean) wage of $60,150 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a private detective and investigator a well paid job?
At $51,220 a year, a private detective and investigator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 35,580 people work as private detectives and investigators in the United States.
Which state pays private detectives and investigators the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for private detectives and investigators at $76,480 a year. Connecticut ($75,010) and District of Columbia ($72,720) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a private detective and investigator a good career?
Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a private detective and investigator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for private detectives and investigators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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