Private Detective and Investigator Salary
Private Detectives and Investigators earn a median $51,220 a year nationally. Protective Service Occupations
U.S. median
$51,220
$24.63 per hour
Range
$36,740 – $97,630
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
35,580
across the U.S.
Private Detective and Investigator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$43,335
per year · effective tax rate 15.4%
$3,611Monthly
$1,806Twice a month
$1,667Every 2 weeks
$20.83Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,966
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,176
- Medicare (1.45%)$743
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,335
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,740 | $17.66 | $31,701 |
| 25th percentile | $40,700 | $19.57 | $34,882 |
| Median (50th) | $51,220 | $24.63 | $43,335 |
| 75th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 | $60,882 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,630 | $46.94 | $77,513 |
Best cities for private detectives and investigators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte, NC | $73,430 | $58,067 | $59,649 | 860 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $68,310 | $53,650 | $51,788 | 970 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $64,400 | $52,524 | $50,838 | 610 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $61,460 | $51,563 | $50,018 | 1,070 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $62,300 | $49,635 | $45,585 | 790 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $61,680 | $49,188 | $43,312 | 1,520 |
| 7 | Tampa, FL | $51,390 | $43,472 | $43,088 | 660 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $53,680 | $43,664 | $42,577 | 450 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $59,140 | $47,102 | $41,845 | 1,040 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $54,720 | $46,148 | $40,425 | 1,030 |
| 11 | Houston, TX | $46,110 | $39,229 | $39,775 | 710 |
| 12 | Orlando, FL | $47,360 | $40,234 | $39,671 | 450 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $45,080 | $36,685 | $36,664 | 980 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Charlotte, NC — $73,430
- Chicago, IL — $68,310
- Phoenix, AZ — $64,400
- Washington, DC — $62,300
- Los Angeles, CA — $61,680
- Dallas, TX — $61,460
- New York, NY — $59,140
- Miami, FL — $54,720
- Philadelphia, PA — $53,680
- Tampa, FL — $51,390
- Orlando, FL — $47,360
- Houston, TX — $46,110
- Atlanta, GA — $45,080
Private Detective and Investigator salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 | $56,771 | $44,610 – $97,500 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 | $59,049 | $38,300 – $95,790 | 400 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | $56,708 | $45,790 – $156,670 | — |
| Vermont | $67,910 | $54,583 | $41,860 – $95,830 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 | $54,705 | $40,510 – $124,150 | 280 |
| Washington | $64,080 | $53,668 | $43,060 – $104,220 | 750 |
| California | $61,250 | $48,874 | $42,600 – $103,410 | 4,190 |
| Arizona | $61,030 | $49,901 | $38,240 – $92,160 | 790 |
| Illinois | $60,210 | $47,723 | $38,920 – $97,780 | 1,300 |
| New York | $59,140 | $47,102 | $40,940 – $103,610 | 1,300 |
| Utah | $57,910 | $47,071 | $38,690 – $89,900 | 350 |
| Minnesota | $57,880 | $46,274 | $40,520 – $101,360 | 600 |
| Virginia | $56,160 | $44,889 | $35,530 – $95,000 | 1,280 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | $44,528 | $40,400 – $80,700 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $54,710 | $44,665 | $39,980 – $103,750 | 410 |
| Rhode Island | $54,620 | $44,636 | $37,560 – $79,140 | 60 |
| Wyoming | $54,310 | $45,818 | $40,550 – $80,120 | 40 |
| Alaska | $53,440 | $45,119 | $39,620 – $105,970 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $52,890 | $43,076 | $36,600 – $98,560 | 1,710 |
| Texas | $51,810 | $43,809 | $35,650 – $99,930 | 3,220 |
| Nebraska | $51,750 | $42,286 | $38,950 – $89,480 | 160 |
| South Carolina | $51,530 | $41,650 | $37,000 – $93,740 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,200 | $41,747 | $38,380 – $91,470 | 1,220 |
| Florida | $50,640 | $42,869 | $35,990 – $85,830 | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $50,240 | $40,256 | $40,250 – $121,090 | 280 |
| Tennessee | $49,360 | $41,841 | $33,930 – $101,030 | 940 |
| Colorado | $48,730 | $39,899 | $41,110 – $86,430 | 540 |
| Michigan | $48,650 | $39,453 | $36,360 – $87,420 | 850 |
| Idaho | $47,910 | $39,245 | $39,520 – $69,710 | 210 |
| Arkansas | $47,750 | $38,898 | $35,990 – $107,930 | 370 |
| Kentucky | $47,650 | $38,917 | $37,340 – $70,150 | 350 |
| Montana | $47,430 | $38,817 | $39,900 – $73,190 | 70 |
| Ohio | $47,200 | $39,590 | $37,460 – $84,930 | 1,560 |
| Alabama | $46,810 | $37,716 | $35,990 – $61,420 | 530 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 | $38,109 | $35,990 – $78,560 | 170 |
| Hawaii | $45,750 | $36,962 | $41,830 – $83,050 | 70 |
| Kansas | $45,260 | $36,821 | $35,810 – $76,520 | 280 |
| Georgia | $45,060 | $36,670 | $36,570 – $96,680 | 1,460 |
| South Dakota | $44,840 | $38,209 | $40,050 – $49,560 | 60 |
| North Dakota | $44,310 | $37,783 | $32,710 – $61,320 | 60 |
| Maine | $43,830 | $35,621 | $36,550 – $67,230 | 210 |
| Louisiana | $41,950 | $35,015 | $35,000 – $67,690 | 860 |
| Wisconsin | $41,850 | $34,746 | $37,000 – $76,550 | 410 |
| Indiana | $41,830 | $34,586 | $36,500 – $77,000 | 480 |
| Missouri | $41,600 | $34,588 | $33,660 – $67,720 | 590 |
| New Mexico | $41,600 | $34,784 | $35,660 – $66,350 | — |
| Iowa | $41,110 | $34,302 | $36,920 – $64,080 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $39,680 | $32,823 | $36,050 – $62,690 | 370 |
| Mississippi | $39,060 | $32,734 | $31,800 – $69,170 | 330 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make?
The national median salary for private detectives and investigators is $51,220 a year ($24.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,740 and the top 10% earn over $97,630. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays private detectives and investigators the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $76,480. After taxes and local prices, Charlotte, NC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many private detectives and investigators are there in the U.S.?
About 35,580 people work as private detectives and investigators nationwide.