Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in New Jersey
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,980
- 25th Percentile — Junior$42,890
- 50th Percentile — Median$54,710
- 75th Percentile — Senior$91,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,750
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in New Jersey earn more than $54,710. The top 10% make $103,750 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,980.
Private Detectives and Investigators in New Jersey: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Jersey ranks 10th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $66,160 per year (10.0% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 410 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in New Jersey — 1.2% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.42: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,980; the top 10% earn over $103,750.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in New Jersey, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($145,430).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation
New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $66,160 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $66,160 is roughly equivalent to $51,688 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($68,310), California ($67,040), Connecticut ($66,560) 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 New Jersey
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $145,430/yr New Jersey +119.8% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $137,140/yr New Jersey +107.3% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $116,540/yr New Jersey +76.1% vs this role
- Police Officers $93,700/yr New Jersey +41.6% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $87,780/yr New Jersey +32.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $85,810/yr New Jersey +29.7% vs this role
- Security Guards $43,520/yr New Jersey 34.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New Jersey?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New Jersey is $66,160 per year (median $54,710), which is 10.0% above the national average of $60,150.
How does New Jersey rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
New Jersey ranks 10th 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 New Jersey?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in New Jersey earn about $39,980 per year and the 25th percentile is $42,890.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in New Jersey?
About $31.81 per hour, based on the $66,160 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in New Jersey?
BLS counts 410 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).
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