Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Smith, AR-OK

Median annual salary $44,910 -14.2% vs national
Median hourly $21.59
10th percentile $38,490
90th percentile $60,590
Employed locally 40
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Fort Smith, AR-OK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,490
    25th
    $41,310
    50th (median)
    $44,910
    75th
    $49,990
    90th
    $60,590

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 79% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 21% 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
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $74,720
    Maryland $74,360
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $73,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $69,500
    Arizona $64,960

    Related occupations in Fort Smith, AR-OK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,690
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$45,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$72,580
    Firefighters$35,590
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$34,190
    School Bus Monitors$31,670

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $21.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.12 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 14.2% below 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 Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,490 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,310.