Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Arizona
Private Detectives and Investigators in Arizona earn a median of $61,030 a year ($29.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $51,220. Arizona ranks 8th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.24 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $41,450 | $19.93 |
| Median | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| 75th percentile | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,160 | $44.31 |
| Average (mean) | $62,410 | $30.00 |
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 | $5,085.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,542.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,347.31 |
| Weekly | $1,173.65 |
| Hourly | $29.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $64,400 | 610 |
| Tucson, AZ | $41,450 | 70 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $50,010 | $24.05 |
| Animal Control Worker | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,470 | $46.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Arizona is $61,030 a year, or $29.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Arizona?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Arizona earn at least $92,160 a year. The top 25% earn $79,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,240 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,450 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Arizona?
About 790 private detectives and investigators are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.