Private Detectives and Investigators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 33-9021$51,220
US median (annual)
$60,150
US mean (annual)
$36,740
10th percentile
$97,630
90th percentile
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for private detectives and investigators in the United States is $51,220 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 36,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,740 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $40,700 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $51,220 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $73,990 | Experienced |
| 90th | $97,630 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
AMAZON
Private Detectives and Investigators interview questions
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 | $74,690 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | $66,560 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | $88,260 | — |
| Vermont | $67,910 | $63,670 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | $69,350 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | $71,020 | 750 |
| California | $61,250 | $67,040 | 4,000 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | $62,410 | 790 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | $64,440 | 1,000 |
| New York | $59,140 | $68,310 | 1,000 |
| Utah | $57,910 | $59,830 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 | $66,510 | 600 |
| Virginia | $56,160 | $61,940 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | $59,230 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 | $66,160 | 410 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 | $60,960 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 | $58,800 | 40 |
| Alaska | $53,440 | $62,190 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 | $61,350 | 2,000 |
| Texas | $51,810 | $58,670 | 3,000 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 | $58,140 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 | $58,980 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 | $59,880 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $50,640 | $55,820 | 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 | $70,110 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 | $63,810 | 940 |
| Colorado | $48,730 | $58,910 | 540 |
| Michigan | $48,650 | $53,850 | 850 |
| Idaho | $47,910 | $54,530 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 | $57,940 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 | $51,130 | 350 |
| Montana | $47,430 | $52,540 | 70 |
| Ohio | $47,200 | $56,980 | 2,000 |
| Alabama | $46,810 | $48,750 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 | $49,600 | 170 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 | $54,920 | 70 |
| Kansas | $45,260 | $50,220 | 280 |
| Georgia | $45,060 | $54,730 | 1,000 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 | $44,210 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $47,230 | 60 |
| Maine | $43,830 | $48,590 | 210 |
| Puerto Rico | $42,190 | $37,480 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | $46,110 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 | $50,660 | 410 |
| Indiana | $41,830 | $49,080 | 480 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | $48,150 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | $49,550 | — |
| Iowa | $41,110 | $48,190 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 | $46,450 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 | $46,370 | 330 |
Salary data is sourced from BLS OES May 2025. Figures represent gross pay before tax. This page is for reference only.
Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18