📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Private Detective Salary in New York (2026)

New York · 38.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$84,539
per year
Median
$73,526
per year
Hourly
$40.64
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,045
25th Percentile — Junior$70,297
50th Percentile — Median$73,526
75th Percentile — Senior$118,114
90th Percentile — Top Earners$137,993
💡 Top-earning Private Detectives in New York make up to $137,993 per year. The job market in New York is rated very strong, with key industries including Finance, Technology, Media.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$71.2k
2021
$73.7k
2022
$76.2k
2023
$78.9k
2024
$81.7k
2025
$84.5k
2026
📈 Private Detective salaries in New York have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong presence in New York's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Private Detective Salary by City in New York
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
New York City $139,489 +65.0% Medium
Buffalo $77,776 -8.0% Medium
Yonkers $116,664 +38.0% Medium
🔍
Private Detective Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation

New York is home to a very strong job market for Private Detectives. The state's key industries — Finance, Technology, Media — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $84,539 per year, New York's Private Detective salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New York (index: 1.38) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New York can expect to earn $49,045–$70,297, while experienced Private Detectives can command $118,114–$137,993.

Looking ahead, the Private Detective profession in New York is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Private Detective salary in New York is $84,539 per year in 2026, which is 38.0% above the national average of $61,260.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Private Detectives the highest wages in New York due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New York has a very strong job market with major industries in Finance, Technology, Media. This makes it one of the better states for Private Detective employment.
  • At $84,539/year, New York Private Detective salaries are 38.0% higher than the national average of $61,260/year.