Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Colorado
Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado earn a median of $48,730 a year ($23.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,430 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $51,220. Colorado ranks 27th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.19 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,110 | $19.76 |
| 25th percentile | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| Median | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 75th percentile | $67,800 | $32.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,430 | $41.55 |
| Average (mean) | $58,910 | $28.32 |
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 | $4,060.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,030.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,874.23 |
| Weekly | $937.12 |
| Hourly | $23.43 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $62,520 | 40 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $52,000 | 340 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,140 | 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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| Animal Control Worker | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Firefighter | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $102,580 | $49.32 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Colorado is $48,730 a year, or $23.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Colorado earn at least $86,430 a year. The top 25% earn $67,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,110 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,150 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Colorado?
About 540 private detectives and investigators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.