Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by state
Private Detectives and Investigators is a professional role in the Protective Service job family, focused on Private Detectives and Investigators work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Private Detectives and Investigatorss do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
Write reports or case summaries to document investigations.
Conduct private investigations on a paid basis.
Search computer databases, credit reports, public records, tax or legal filings, or other resources to locate persons or to compile information for investigations.
Conduct personal background investigations, such as pre-employment checks, to obtain information about an individual's character, financial status, or personal history.
Expose fraudulent insurance claims or stolen funds.
Top skills:Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingWriting
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by industry
Sectors 44 and 45 – Retail Trade
13,580 workers
$46,500
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
7,400 workers
$57,500
Finance and Insurance
4,080 workers
$75,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS
3,120 workers
$78,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
2,550 workers
$81,500
Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
2,050 workers
$77,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,270 workers
$87,500
State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,190 workers
$78,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Private Detectives and Investigators pays 8% below the average across 24 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $68,000).
