Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $45,290 -13.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.77
10th percentile $38,680
90th percentile $67,250
Employed locally 40
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Lexington, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,680
    25th
    $39,520
    50th (median)
    $45,290
    75th
    $50,580
    90th
    $67,250

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 64% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 36% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $56,660
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $49,920
    Kentucky $48,130
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $40,130

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,370
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $63,070
    Firefighters $36,920
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,120
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $90,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $69,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Lexington, KY is $21.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Lexington, KY is 13.5% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,680 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,520.