Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Alabama
Private Detectives and Investigators in Alabama earn a median of $46,810 a year ($22.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $51,220. Alabama ranks 34th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.25 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Median | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| 75th percentile | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Average (mean) | $48,750 | $23.44 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,900.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,950.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,800.38 |
| Weekly | $900.19 |
| Hourly | $22.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $49,390 | 180 |
| Mobile, AL | $47,770 | 60 |
| Montgomery, AL | $47,100 | 60 |
| Huntsville, AL | $43,950 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,750 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Alabama?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Alabama is $46,810 a year, or $22.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Alabama earn at least $61,420 a year. The top 25% earn $52,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,740 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Alabama?
About 530 private detectives and investigators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.