Highest-paying cities for private detectives and investigators
Memphis, TN leads at $99,680 a year. Pay is not adjusted for local prices; see each page for the cost-of-living view.
| Place | Median | 25th–75th |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | $99,680 | $45,670–$100,050 |
| Salem, OR | $81,070 | $67,170–$93,620 |
| Portland, OR | $78,330 | $56,920–$93,620 |
| Hartford, CT | $77,540 | $44,650–$83,320 |
| Waterbury, CT | $76,630 | $42,590–$83,320 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,670 | $47,650–$93,900 |
| Charlotte, NC | $73,430 | $52,900–$98,400 |
| Manchester, NH | $70,780 | $63,130–$78,310 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $70,220 | $47,200–$93,620 |
| Burlington, VT | $70,190 | $45,040–$76,960 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,150 | $50,090–$103,070 |
| Chicago, IL | $68,310 | $45,570–$79,140 |
| New Haven, CT | $65,030 | $40,230–$81,120 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $64,400 | $41,930–$79,790 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $64,080 | $42,980–$83,320 |
| San Jose, CA | $64,060 | $50,260–$92,610 |
| Eugene, OR | $63,940 | $50,340–$82,230 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $62,520 | $44,130–$80,460 |
| Washington, DC | $62,300 | $56,150–$89,970 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $61,680 | $46,210–$82,110 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,460 | $37,180–$74,410 |
| Spokane, WA | $61,460 | $42,780–$81,540 |
| Boston, MA | $60,910 | $45,570–$89,180 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $60,090 | $36,890–$61,040 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $59,770 | $52,340–$74,470 |
| Riverside, CA | $59,490 | $43,840–$77,270 |
| Deltona, FL | $59,350 | $45,920–$75,890 |
| New York, NY | $59,140 | $49,160–$87,080 |
| Modesto, CA | $58,460 | $43,000–$78,590 |
| Oxnard, CA | $58,170 | $45,480–$63,230 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $57,910 | $51,370–$60,400 |
| Beaumont, TX | $57,620 | $37,290–$68,360 |
| San Antonio, TX | $56,760 | $36,550–$72,590 |
| Olympia, WA | $56,530 | $46,790–$77,150 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $56,510 | $39,150–$59,000 |
| Crestview, FL | $56,370 | $38,390–$62,960 |
| Ogden, UT | $55,450 | $47,830–$73,610 |
| Provo, UT | $55,420 | $39,370–$67,800 |
| Miami, FL | $54,720 | $38,520–$71,200 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $53,930 | $44,090–$80,270 |
| Asheville, NC | $53,900 | $41,090–$53,900 |
| Lincoln, NE | $53,800 | $48,380–$76,850 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $53,680 | $42,140–$69,770 |
| Durham, NC | $53,610 | $38,860–$64,080 |
| Richmond, VA | $52,430 | $39,300–$78,710 |
| Denver, CO | $52,000 | $46,130–$67,840 |
| North Port, FL | $51,950 | $41,160–$62,760 |
| Columbus, OH | $51,780 | $45,690–$79,500 |
| Gainesville, FL | $51,580 | $37,290–$62,360 |
| Tampa, FL | $51,390 | $37,740–$62,480 |
Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025.