Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Phoenix, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Median annual salary $75,230 +43.7% vs national
Median hourly $36.17
10th percentile $39,770
90th percentile $110,850
Employed locally 760
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Phoenix, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,770
    25th
    $44,710
    50th (median)
    $75,230
    75th
    $98,330
    90th
    $110,850

    Phoenix economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,703 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 89% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 11% 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
    Tucson, AZ $44,780

    Related occupations in Phoenix, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,560
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,060
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,600
    Firefighters $61,640
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $35,360
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $34,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Phoenix, AZ is $36.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Phoenix, AZ is 43.7% 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 Phoenix?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $39,770 per year in Phoenix, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,710.