Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

Median annual salary $49,920 -4.7% vs national
Median hourly $24.00
10th percentile $40,290
90th percentile $101,130
Employed locally 110
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,290
    25th
    $44,910
    50th (median)
    $49,920
    75th
    $71,260
    90th
    $101,130

    Louisville/Jefferson County economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,737 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $56,660
    Kentucky $48,130
    Lexington-Fayette, KY $45,290
    Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH $40,130

    Related occupations in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,400
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $63,170
    Firefighters $46,200
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $47,440
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $64,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $98,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Louisville/Jefferson County?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is $24.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.42 or more per hour.

    Is Louisville/Jefferson County above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN is 4.7% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $40,290 per year in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,910.