Salary guide
Private Investigator Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What private investigators earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median private investigator salary in the U.S. is $51,220 per year, or $24.62 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,740, while the top 10% earned more than $97,630.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Private Investigator pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $40,700 | $19.57 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $51,220 | $24.63 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $97,630 | $46.94 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $40,700 | $51,220 | $73,990 |
| Per month | $3,392 | $4,268 | $6,166 |
| Every two weeks | $1,565 | $1,970 | $2,846 |
| Per week | $783 | $985 | $1,423 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects private investigator pay
- Agency size and local government budgets
- Rank, seniority and specialty assignments
- Overtime, shift differentials and court time
- State licensing and armed-guard credentials for security work
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a private investigator
- Get credentialed: State private investigator license, Professional Certified Investigator (PCI), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
- Build specialty experience: Handle cases.
- Move up: roles such as senior or specialized investigator and agency owner or manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Private Investigator pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of private investigators to change by +5.5% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,200 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 33-9021 (“Private detectives and investigators”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Private Investigator salary FAQ
How much does a private investigator make per hour?
The median hourly wage for private investigators was $24.62 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.66 and the top 10% earned about $46.94 or more.
How much does a private investigator make a month?
At the median annual wage of $51,220, that works out to about $4,268 per month before taxes, or about $1,970 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a private investigator?
New private investigators often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $36,740 and the 25th percentile was $40,700 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can private investigators earn more?
Common ways include earning State private investigator license and Professional Certified Investigator (PCI), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior or specialized investigator.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9021 (Private detectives and investigators).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Private detectives and investigators (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.