Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Lafayette, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lafayette, LA

Median annual salary $42,100 -19.6% vs national
Median hourly $20.24
10th percentile $28,930
90th percentile $54,730
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Lafayette, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $28,930
    25th
    $36,170
    50th (median)
    $42,100
    75th
    $46,190
    90th
    $54,730

    Lafayette economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,910 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 69% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 31% 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
    Maryland $74,360
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $69,500
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $62,520
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $59,840

    Related occupations in Lafayette, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $50,910
    Security Guards $29,020
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $47,710
    Firefighters $36,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $60,730
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $56,340

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lafayette, LA is $20.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.01 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Lafayette, LA is 19.6% 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 Lafayette?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $28,930 per year in Lafayette, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,170.