Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Massachusetts
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,250
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,540
- 50th Percentile — Median$50,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$94,660
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$121,090
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Massachusetts earn more than $50,240. The top 10% make $121,090 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,250.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Massachusetts: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Massachusetts ranks 4th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $70,110 per year (16.6% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 280 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Massachusetts — 0.8% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.34: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Massachusetts than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,250; the top 10% earn over $121,090.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Massachusetts, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($118,130).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Massachusetts
Key factors affecting compensation
Massachusetts's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $70,110 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.3 (U.S. = 1.00), a Massachusetts salary of $70,110 is roughly equivalent to $53,931 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($88,260), Oregon ($74,690), Washington ($71,020) 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 Massachusetts
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $118,130/yr Massachusetts +68.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $112,480/yr Massachusetts +60.4% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $100,680/yr Massachusetts +43.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $83,230/yr Massachusetts +18.7% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $82,890/yr Massachusetts +18.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $73,220/yr Massachusetts +4.4% vs this role
- Security Guards $44,760/yr Massachusetts 36.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Massachusetts?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Massachusetts is $70,110 per year (median $50,240), which is 16.6% above the national average of $60,150.
How does Massachusetts rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Massachusetts ranks 4th 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 Massachusetts?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Massachusetts earn about $40,250 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,540.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Massachusetts?
About $33.71 per hour, based on the $70,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Massachusetts?
BLS counts 280 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Massachusetts (OEWS May 2025).
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