Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Tampa, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Median annual salary $47,860 -8.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.01
10th percentile $31,710
90th percentile $89,270
Employed locally 670
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Tampa, FL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,710
    25th
    $37,860
    50th (median)
    $47,860
    75th
    $62,840
    90th
    $89,270

    Tampa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,254 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 67% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 33% 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
    Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL $54,720
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $52,470
    Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $52,360
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,860
    Jacksonville, FL $49,050
    Florida $48,880

    Related occupations in Tampa, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,000
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$74,970
    Firefighters$60,360
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$65,290
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$91,400
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$36,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Tampa, FL is $23.01, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Tampa, FL is 8.6% below 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 Tampa?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $31,710 per year in Tampa, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,860.