Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Rochester, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rochester, NY

Median annual salary $55,500 +6% vs national
Median hourly $26.69
10th percentile $39,590
90th percentile $101,870
Employed locally 100
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Rochester, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,590
    25th
    $43,230
    50th (median)
    $55,500
    75th
    $81,210
    90th
    $101,870

    Rochester economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,438 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 75% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 25% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $69,500
    Syracuse, NY $69,120
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $59,840
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $50,060
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,600
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $47,860

    Related occupations in Rochester, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $42,210
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,590
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $72,410
    School Bus Monitors $34,650
    Firefighters $88,380
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Rochester, NY is $26.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Rochester, NY is 6% 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 Rochester?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $39,590 per year in Rochester, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,230.