Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Delaware
Private Detectives and Investigators in Delaware earn a median of $55,710 a year ($26.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,700 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $51,220. Delaware ranks 14th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.23 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| 25th percentile | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Median | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| 75th percentile | $67,800 | $32.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Average (mean) | $59,230 | $28.48 |
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 | $4,642.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,321.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,142.69 |
| Weekly | $1,071.35 |
| Hourly | $26.78 |
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 Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $53,680 | 450 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Firefighter | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $122,050 | $58.68 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $40,360 | $19.40 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Delaware is $55,710 a year, or $26.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Delaware?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Delaware earn at least $80,700 a year. The top 25% earn $67,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,400 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $47,520 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Delaware?
About 110 private detectives and investigators are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.