Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $62,190 +18.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.90
10th percentile $40,530
90th percentile $152,080
Employed locally 490
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,530
    25th
    $44,190
    50th (median)
    $62,190
    75th
    $108,530
    90th
    $152,080

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 50% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 50% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $47,260
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $83,430
    Firefighters $67,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $124,770
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $153,340
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $69,040

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $29.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 18.8% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $40,530 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,190.