Private Detectives and Investigators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Washington (2024)

How does Private Detectives and Investigators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

148% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$42,020
$3,502/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$65,500
$5,458/mo
Senior (P90)
$104,240
$8,687/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$42,020
National: $36,271
+15.9%
Mid-Career (Median)
$65,500
National: $50,692
+29.2%
Senior (P90)
$104,240
National: $87,103
+19.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington spans from $42,020 at entry-level to $104,240 at senior level — a difference of $62,220 per year.

P10
$42K
P25
$45K
Median
$65K
P75
$89K
P90
$104K

Career Growth Premium: +148%

Senior Private Detectives and Investigatorss in Washington earn $62,220 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$62,220
Monthly Difference
+$5,185
Hourly Difference
+$29.91
Growth Multiple
2.5x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Private Detectives and Investigators salary increases with experience in Washington, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $42,020 $3,502 $20.20
Early Career P25 $45,860 $3,822 $22.05
Mid-Career Median $65,500 $5,458 $31.49
Experienced P75 $89,490 $7,458 $43.02
Senior / Expert P90 $104,240 $8,687 $50.12
Key Insight

Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $42,020, while senior-level professionals earn $104,240 — a 148% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($65,500) and experienced level ($89,490), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Private Detectives and Investigators senior-level salaries? Compare Washington's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$136,280
Entry: $40K
+240%
2
$119,870
Entry: $39K
+206%
3
$119,760
Entry: $35K
+239%
4
$107,560
Entry: $39K
+170%
5
$107,530
Entry: $33K
+218%
6
$107,340
Entry: $19K
+438%
7
$104,240
Entry: $42K
+148%
8
$103,700
Entry: $38K
+169%
9
$102,640
Entry: $35K
+192%
10
$100,780
Entry: $40K
+147%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Private Detectives and Investigators?

Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $42,020 per year, or $3,501 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $45,860. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Private Detectives and Investigators make?

Senior Private Detectives and Investigatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $104,240 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $89,490. This represents a career premium of 148% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Private Detectives and Investigators?

The career salary growth potential for Private Detectives and Investigatorss is 148%. Entry-level professionals start at $42,020, while senior-level can earn up to $104,240 — a difference of $62,220 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Private Detectives and Investigatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Private Detectives and Investigatorss is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $104,240 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Private Detectives and Investigators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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