Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Albuquerque, NM
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $41,680 a year ($20.04 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,350 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $41,600. The average (mean) salary is $51,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,600 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Median | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| 75th percentile | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Average (mean) | $51,450 | $24.73 |
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 | $3,473.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,736.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,603.08 |
| Weekly | $801.54 |
| Hourly | $20.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,240 | $13.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $55,370 | $26.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,380 | $35.28 |
| Firefighter | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $41,680 a year, or $20.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $66,350 a year. The top 25% earn $64,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,600 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,650 or less.