Private Detectives and Investigators Salary by State
The national median pay for private detectives and investigators is $51,220 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,060 in Mississippi to $76,480 in Oregon.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,740
- 25th percentile
- $40,700
- Median
- $51,220
- 75th percentile
- $73,990
- Top 10%
- $97,630
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 35,580 jobs.
Median pay in 48 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $76,480 | +49% | $44,610 | $97,500 | 610 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $75,010 | +46% | $38,300 | $95,790 | 400 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $72,720 | +42% | $45,790 | $156,670 | Not published |
| 4 | Vermont | $67,910 | +33% | $41,860 | $95,830 | 90 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $65,370 | +28% | $40,510 | $124,150 | 280 |
| 6 | Washington | $64,080 | +25% | $43,060 | $104,220 | 750 |
| 7 | California | $61,250 | +20% | $42,600 | $103,410 | 4,190 |
| 8 | Arizona | $61,030 | +19% | $38,240 | $92,160 | 790 |
| 9 | Illinois | $60,210 | +18% | $38,920 | $97,780 | 1,300 |
| 10 | New York | $59,140 | +15% | $40,940 | $103,610 | 1,300 |
| 11 | Utah | $57,910 | +13% | $38,690 | $89,900 | 350 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $57,880 | +13% | $40,520 | $101,360 | 600 |
| 13 | Virginia | $56,160 | +10% | $35,530 | $95,000 | 1,280 |
| 14 | Delaware | $55,710 | +9% | $40,400 | $80,700 | 110 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $54,710 | +7% | $39,980 | $103,750 | 410 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $54,620 | +7% | $37,560 | $79,140 | 60 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $54,310 | +6% | $40,550 | $80,120 | 40 |
| 18 | Alaska | $53,440 | +4% | $39,620 | $105,970 | 70 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $52,890 | +3% | $36,600 | $98,560 | 1,710 |
| 20 | Texas | $51,810 | +1% | $35,650 | $99,930 | 3,220 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $51,750 | +1% | $38,950 | $89,480 | 160 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $51,530 | +1% | $37,000 | $93,740 | 620 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $51,200 | 0% | $38,380 | $91,470 | 1,220 |
| 24 | Florida | $50,640 | −1% | $35,990 | $85,830 | 3,660 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $50,240 | −2% | $40,250 | $121,090 | 280 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $49,360 | −4% | $33,930 | $101,030 | 940 |
| 27 | Colorado | $48,730 | −5% | $41,110 | $86,430 | 540 |
| 28 | Michigan | $48,650 | −5% | $36,360 | $87,420 | 850 |
| 29 | Idaho | $47,910 | −6% | $39,520 | $69,710 | 210 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $47,750 | −7% | $35,990 | $107,930 | 370 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $47,650 | −7% | $37,340 | $70,150 | 350 |
| 32 | Montana | $47,430 | −7% | $39,900 | $73,190 | 70 |
| 33 | Ohio | $47,200 | −8% | $37,460 | $84,930 | 1,560 |
| 34 | Alabama | $46,810 | −9% | $35,990 | $61,420 | 530 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $46,410 | −9% | $35,990 | $78,560 | 170 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $45,750 | −11% | $41,830 | $83,050 | 70 |
| 37 | Kansas | $45,260 | −12% | $35,810 | $76,520 | 280 |
| 38 | Georgia | $45,060 | −12% | $36,570 | $96,680 | 1,460 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $44,840 | −12% | $40,050 | $49,560 | 60 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $44,310 | −13% | $32,710 | $61,320 | 60 |
| 41 | Maine | $43,830 | −14% | $36,550 | $67,230 | 210 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $41,950 | −18% | $35,000 | $67,690 | 860 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $41,850 | −18% | $37,000 | $76,550 | 410 |
| 44 | Indiana | $41,830 | −18% | $36,500 | $77,000 | 480 |
| 45 | Missouri | $41,600 | −19% | $33,660 | $67,720 | 590 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $41,600 | −19% | $35,660 | $66,350 | Not published |
| 47 | Iowa | $41,110 | −20% | $36,920 | $64,080 | 170 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $39,680 | −23% | $36,050 | $62,690 | 370 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $39,060 | −24% | $31,800 | $69,170 | 330 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary questions
Which state pays private detectives and investigators the most?
Oregon, with a median of $76,480 a year (+49% vs. the national median of $51,220). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays private detectives and investigators the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $39,060 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most private detectives and investigators work?
California has the most jobs, about 4,190, with a median of $61,250.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.