Private Detectives and Investigators pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,450 a year or less, while the top 10% make $117,930 or more. The middle half of private detectives and investigators in Washington earn between $56,150 and $89,970.
- $40K10th
- $56K25th
- $62KMedian
- $90K75th
- $118K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $73,200 | $6,100 | $35.19 |
| Median | $62,300 | $5,192 | $29.95 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $56,150 | $4,679 | $27.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $89,970 | $7,498 | $43.25 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Private detectives and investigators in Washington earn 17% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($88,260) and 22% more than the U.S. average ($60,150). At the median the gap is +22% against the U.S. median of $51,220.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $73,200 | $62,300 | $40,450 | $117,930 | 790 |
| Washington, D.C. | $88,260 | $72,720 | $45,790 | $156,670 | n/a |
| United States | $60,150 | $51,220 | $36,740 | $97,630 | 35,580 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $73,200, a single filer in Washington takes home about $57,015 a year, or $4,751 a month and $2,193 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $57,863 | $4,822 |
| Working in MD | $57,061 | $4,755 |
| Working in DC | $57,015 | $4,751 |
| Working in VA | $56,931 | $4,744 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for private detectives and investigators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $73,200 buys what about $67,228 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 8.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in nearby metro areas
- Richmond, VA$63,490
- Harrisburg, PA$67,380
- Reading, PA$51,150
- Philadelphia, PA$62,090
- Virginia Beach, VA$48,290
- Pittsburgh, PA$53,540
Highest-paying cities for private detectives and investigators
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($78,960).
- San Francisco, CA$78,960
- Salem, OR$78,540
- Memphis, TN$78,160
- Portland, OR$77,440
- Seattle, WA$77,230
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Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Washington: questions
How much do private detectives and investigators make an hour in Washington?
$35.19 an hour on average, and $29.95 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level private detectives and investigators salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,450 a year and the 25th percentile is $56,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the private detectives and investigators take-home pay in Washington?
About $57,015 a year ($4,751 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $73,200.
Do private detectives and investigators earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 22% more than the U.S. average for this job ($60,150).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-9021; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.10, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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