Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Lakeland, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Median annual salary $44,630 -14.8% vs national
Median hourly $21.46
10th percentile $36,410
90th percentile $82,880
Employed locally 120
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Lakeland, FL stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Lakeland, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,410
    25th
    $36,700
    50th (median)
    $44,630
    75th
    $57,370
    90th
    $82,880

    Lakeland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,644 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 70% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 30% 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
    Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $54,720
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $52,470
    Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $52,360
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,860
    Jacksonville, FL $49,050
    Florida $48,880

    Related occupations in Lakeland, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$66,790
    Security Guards$35,430
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$47,260
    Firefighters$49,130
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$28,590
    School Bus Monitors$32,930

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lakeland, FL is $21.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Lakeland, FL is 14.8% 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 Lakeland?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,410 per year in Lakeland, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,700.