Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,580
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,080
- 75th Percentile — Senior$84,700
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$104,220
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington earn more than $64,080. The top 10% make $104,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,060.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 3rd of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $71,020 per year (18.1% above the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 750 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington — 2.1% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.92: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,060; the top 10% earn over $104,220.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.14 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($142,670).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $71,020 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $71,020 is roughly equivalent to $56,816 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($88,260), Oregon ($74,690), 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $142,670/yr Washington +100.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $124,010/yr Washington +74.6% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $118,040/yr Washington +66.2% vs this role
- Police Officers $104,140/yr Washington +46.6% vs this role
- Firefighters $89,200/yr Washington +25.6% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $78,150/yr Washington +10.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $50,770/yr Washington 28.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Washington?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Washington is $71,020 per year (median $64,080), which is 18.1% above the national average of $60,150.
How does Washington rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Washington ranks 3rd 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington earn about $43,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,580.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Washington?
About $34.14 per hour, based on the $71,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Washington?
BLS counts 750 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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