Private Detectives and Investigators Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 49 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in All 50 States
Compare Private Detectives and Investigators pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77,320 | $75,590 | $43,310 | $97,500 | 480 |
| Maryland | $74,360 | $84,950 | $41,580 | $132,340 | 560 |
| Illinois | $73,070 | $71,380 | $40,710 | $98,800 | 1,770 |
| Minnesota | $72,070 | $69,860 | $42,220 | $101,950 | 940 |
| Connecticut | $68,290 | $64,200 | $38,680 | $89,580 | 400 |
| Wyoming | $67,360 | $64,540 | $43,230 | $81,770 | 40 |
| Vermont | $66,070 | $62,950 | $40,000 | $88,450 | N/A |
| Washington | $65,370 | $72,710 | $43,510 | $100,890 | 840 |
| Arizona | $64,960 | $70,250 | $38,580 | $110,850 | 980 |
| California | $60,210 | $67,140 | $42,430 | $102,180 | 5,260 |
| New York | $59,840 | $73,290 | $42,680 | $113,220 | 1,850 |
| Massachusetts | $57,840 | $67,190 | $40,910 | $125,380 | 480 |
| North Carolina | $55,190 | $62,490 | $36,150 | $99,550 | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $54,080 | $62,310 | $40,090 | $100,170 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $53,890 | $61,700 | $37,840 | $100,450 | 650 |
| Nebraska | $52,160 | $61,020 | $39,920 | $92,170 | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $51,990 | $57,830 | $40,710 | $72,810 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $51,610 | $59,440 | $38,000 | $79,940 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $51,540 | $62,080 | $40,350 | $100,910 | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,220 | $62,050 | $39,620 | $89,300 | 1,550 |
| Utah | $51,130 | $57,700 | $38,660 | $85,120 | 360 |
| Ohio | $50,060 | $56,050 | $36,950 | $80,290 | 1,360 |
| Colorado | $49,720 | $59,800 | $42,130 | $87,260 | 580 |
| Michigan | $49,700 | $55,580 | $36,230 | $87,760 | 980 |
| Delaware | $49,400 | $55,500 | $44,510 | $71,520 | 120 |
| Maine | $49,360 | $52,170 | $39,840 | $72,180 | 200 |
| Florida | $48,880 | $57,240 | $34,580 | $96,540 | 3,780 |
| Virginia | $48,740 | $61,010 | $34,690 | $103,910 | 900 |
| Idaho | $48,170 | $50,420 | $38,520 | $65,980 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $48,130 | $52,710 | $38,500 | $71,260 | 490 |
| Texas | $48,070 | $58,630 | $35,890 | $99,600 | 3,440 |
| Montana | $47,910 | $54,260 | $41,050 | $79,200 | 60 |
| Nevada | $47,550 | $70,010 | $40,250 | $187,200 | 420 |
| Alabama | $47,180 | $51,790 | $33,550 | $83,290 | 580 |
| West Virginia | $46,830 | $49,880 | $22,090 | $77,700 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $46,560 | $59,230 | $37,150 | $105,140 | 690 |
| North Dakota | $45,710 | $48,050 | $31,110 | $64,820 | 60 |
| Indiana | $45,400 | $52,140 | $36,930 | $80,910 | 560 |
| Iowa | $45,070 | $51,930 | $38,490 | $64,730 | 140 |
| Kansas | $45,020 | $48,870 | $34,000 | $64,990 | 270 |
| New Mexico | $44,870 | $51,790 | $36,020 | $67,250 | 190 |
| Georgia | $44,590 | $55,190 | $37,810 | $92,780 | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $44,390 | $56,750 | $42,330 | $80,170 | 60 |
| Missouri | $43,780 | $49,750 | $37,130 | $68,330 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $43,390 | $47,520 | $35,350 | $70,170 | 890 |
| Arkansas | $43,310 | $54,090 | $35,350 | $109,010 | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $43,210 | $51,550 | $36,220 | $74,240 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $40,470 | $47,780 | $36,420 | $63,980 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $39,460 | $48,380 | $27,790 | $91,830 | 370 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Private Detectives and Investigators Salary FAQs
Which state pays Private Detectives and Investigatorss the most?
Oregon pays the highest median salary for Private Detectives and Investigatorss at $77,320 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: Oregon ($77,320), Maryland ($74,360), Illinois ($73,070), Minnesota ($72,070), Connecticut ($68,290).
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary nationally?
The average median Private Detectives and Investigators salary across all 49 states is $52,540 per year. The salary ranges from $39,460 in Mississippi to $77,320 in Oregon — a difference of $37,860.
Which state pays Private Detectives and Investigatorss the least?
Mississippi has the lowest median Private Detectives and Investigators salary at $39,460 per year. However, cost of living in Mississippi may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.