Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in New York
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$40,940
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,970
- 50th Percentile — Median$59,140
- 75th Percentile — Senior$80,910
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,610
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in New York earn more than $59,140. The top 10% make $103,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $40,940.
Private Detectives and Investigators in New York: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New York ranks 6th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $68,310 per year (13.6% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 1,300 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in New York — 3.7% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.59: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,940; the top 10% earn over $103,610.
- Hourly equivalent: $32.84 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in New York, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($129,240).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation
New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $68,310 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $68,310 is roughly equivalent to $49,500 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
Other Public Safety Jobs in New York
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $129,240/yr New York +89.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $127,380/yr New York +86.5% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $105,880/yr New York +55.0% vs this role
- Firefighters $87,150/yr New York +27.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $87,110/yr New York +27.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $77,240/yr New York +13.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $46,450/yr New York 32.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New York?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New York is $68,310 per year (median $59,140), which is 13.6% above the national average of $60,150.
How does New York rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
New York ranks 6th 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 York?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in New York earn about $40,940 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,970.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in New York?
About $32.84 per hour, based on the $68,310 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in New York?
BLS counts 1,300 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).
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