Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $69,550 +32.8% vs national
Median hourly $33.44
10th percentile $44,740
90th percentile $108,810
Employed locally 480
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,740
    25th
    $48,270
    50th (median)
    $69,550
    75th
    $94,190
    90th
    $108,810

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 62% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 38% 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
    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
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $57,650

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $48,400
    Firefighters $102,220
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $114,200
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $42,120
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $80,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $128,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Seattle, WA is $33.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Seattle, WA is 32.8% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $44,740 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,270.