Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,110
- 25th Percentile — Junior$44,150
- 50th Percentile — Median$48,730
- 75th Percentile — Senior$67,800
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,430
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado earn more than $48,730. The top 10% make $86,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,110.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 23rd of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $58,910 per year (2.1% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 540 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado — 1.5% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.82: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,110; the top 10% earn over $86,430.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.32 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Colorado, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($124,850).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $58,910 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $58,910 is roughly equivalent to $53,555 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($59,880), Utah ($59,830), Delaware ($59,230) 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 Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $124,850/yr Colorado +111.9% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $109,010/yr Colorado +85.0% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $105,920/yr Colorado +79.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $90,550/yr Colorado +53.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $78,380/yr Colorado +33.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $66,360/yr Colorado +12.6% vs this role
- Security Guards $45,870/yr Colorado 22.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Colorado?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Colorado is $58,910 per year (median $48,730), which is 2.1% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Colorado rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Colorado ranks 23rd 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 Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado earn about $41,110 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,150.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Colorado?
About $28.32 per hour, based on the $58,910 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Colorado?
BLS counts 540 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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