Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Boston, MA-NH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Median annual salary $60,280 +15.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.98
10th percentile $41,970
90th percentile $126,400
Employed locally 390
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Boston, MA-NH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,970
    25th
    $47,510
    50th (median)
    $60,280
    75th
    $72,180
    90th
    $126,400

    Boston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,484 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 54% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Maryland $74,360
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,550
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $65,260
    Massachusetts $57,840
    Madison, WI $52,530
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $51,820

    Related occupations in Boston, MA-NH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $45,300
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $78,610
    Firefighters $73,700
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $81,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $107,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $97,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Boston?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Boston, MA-NH is $28.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.37 or more per hour.

    Is Boston above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Boston, MA-NH is 15.1% above the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $41,970 per year in Boston, MA-NH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,510.