Estimate · based on BLS national data

Private Detectives and Investigators in Maryland

$69,172 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$33.26 per hour

▲ 15.0% above U.S. average6th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$69,172per year
Median$58,903per year
Hourly$33.26per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,752 – $103,292per year

Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Maryland

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,752
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$59,757
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,903
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$91,267
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,292

Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Maryland earn more than $58,903. The top 10% make $103,292 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,752.

Private Detectives and Investigators in Maryland: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Maryland ranks 6th of 51 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $69,172 per year (15.0% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
  • 560 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Maryland — 1.6% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.89: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Maryland than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,752; the top 10% earn over $103,292.
  • Hourly equivalent: $33.26 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
  • Among public safety jobs in Maryland, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($130,040).

Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Maryland

Key factors affecting compensation

Maryland's key industries are Government, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $69,172 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Maryland salary of $69,172 is roughly equivalent to $60,150 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($74,690), Washington ($71,020), Massachusetts ($70,110) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Maryland?

The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Maryland is $69,172 per year (median $58,903), which is 15.0% above the national average of $60,150.

How does Maryland rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?

Maryland ranks 6th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).

How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Maryland?

The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Maryland earn about $45,752 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,757.

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

About $33.26 per hour, based on the $69,172 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Maryland?

BLS counts 560 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Maryland (OEWS May 2025).

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