Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $53,770 +2.7% vs national
Median hourly $25.85
10th percentile $42,090
90th percentile $72,710
Employed locally 90
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,090
    25th
    $44,540
    50th (median)
    $53,770
    75th
    $54,930
    90th
    $72,710

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 61% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 39% 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
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $75,230
    Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area $62,230
    Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $58,990
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $57,880
    Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area $54,680
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $51,650

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Firefighters $47,490
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,550
    Security Guards $44,100
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $42,610
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $55,010
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $78,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Portland, ME is $25.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Portland, ME is 2.7% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $42,090 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,540.