Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Arkansas
Private Detectives and Investigators in Arkansas earn a median of $47,750 a year ($22.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,930 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $51,220. Arkansas ranks 30th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.28 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| Median | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 75th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,930 | $51.89 |
| Average (mean) | $57,940 | $27.86 |
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 | $3,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,989.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,836.54 |
| Weekly | $918.27 |
| Hourly | $22.96 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,680 | 310 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,960 | 100 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $46,380 | 40 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Arkansas is $47,750 a year, or $22.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Arkansas earn at least $107,930 a year. The top 25% earn $69,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,970 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Arkansas?
About 370 private detectives and investigators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.