Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Columbus, OH
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $51,780 a year ($24.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,810 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 10% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $47,200. There are 0.35 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| 25th percentile | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Median | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| 75th percentile | $79,500 | $38.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Average (mean) | $64,630 | $31.07 |
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 | $4,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,157.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,991.54 |
| Weekly | $995.77 |
| Hourly | $24.90 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,510 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,660 | 180 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,740 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $41,420 | 90 |
| Toledo, OH | $39,600 | 40 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $38,750 | 60 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $51,780 a year, or $24.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $102,810 a year. The top 25% earn $79,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,050 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,690 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Columbus, OH?
About 390 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.