Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Alabama
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,740
- 50th Percentile — Median$46,810
- 75th Percentile — Senior$52,610
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$61,420
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Alabama earn more than $46,810. The top 10% make $61,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,990.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Alabama: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Alabama ranks 41st of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $48,750 per year (19.0% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 530 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Alabama — 1.5% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.10: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Alabama than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,990; the top 10% earn over $61,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $23.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Alabama, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($82,000).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Alabama
Key factors affecting compensation
Alabama's key industries are Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $48,750 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a Alabama salary of $48,750 is roughly equivalent to $56,034 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($50,220), West Virginia ($49,600), New Mexico ($49,550) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Alabama
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $82,000/yr Alabama +68.2% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $79,070/yr Alabama +62.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $74,640/yr Alabama +53.1% vs this role
- Police Officers $55,130/yr Alabama +13.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $50,300/yr Alabama +3.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $49,720/yr Alabama +2.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $34,680/yr Alabama 28.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Alabama?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Alabama is $48,750 per year (median $46,810), which is 19.0% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Alabama rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Alabama ranks 41st out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Alabama?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Alabama earn about $35,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,740.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Alabama?
About $23.44 per hour, based on the $48,750 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Alabama?
BLS counts 530 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Alabama (OEWS May 2025).
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