Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $59,040 +12.7% vs national
Median hourly $28.38
10th percentile $43,300
90th percentile $89,160
Employed locally 330
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,300
    25th
    $45,710
    50th (median)
    $59,040
    75th
    $68,640
    90th
    $89,160

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 58% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 42% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,400
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,550
    Connecticut $68,290
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $62,520

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,270
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $103,170
    Firefighters $88,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $36,810
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $42,440
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $64,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Denver, CO is $28.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Denver, CO is 12.7% 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $43,300 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,710.