Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Olympia, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA

Median annual salary $56,530 +7.9% vs national
Median hourly $27.18
10th percentile $43,930
90th percentile $82,520
Employed locally 30
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Olympia, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,930
    25th
    $46,790
    50th (median)
    $56,530
    75th
    $77,150
    90th
    $82,520

    Olympia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 60% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 40% 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $69,550
    Washington $65,370
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $62,190
    Waterbury-Shelton, CT $61,850
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $59,840

    Related occupations in Olympia, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $45,930
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $101,310
    Firefighters $90,180
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $77,170
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $45,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $115,050

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Olympia, WA is $27.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.68 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Olympia, WA is 7.9% above 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 Olympia?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $43,930 per year in Olympia, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,790.