Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Western Washington

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western Washington nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $48,840 -6.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.48
10th percentile $42,850
90th percentile $77,410
Employed locally 30
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Western Washington stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Western Washington
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,850
    25th
    $44,510
    50th (median)
    $48,840
    75th
    $77,410
    90th
    $77,410

    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 Western Washington

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $74,480
    Security Guards $45,050
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $83,100
    Firefighters $73,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers $90,660
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $119,700

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Western Washington is $23.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.22 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Western Washington is 6.7% 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 Western Washington?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $42,850 per year in Western Washington. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,510.