Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Florida
Private Detectives and Investigators in Florida earn a median of $50,640 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,830 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $51,220. Florida ranks 24th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.37 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Median | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,830 | $41.26 |
| Average (mean) | $55,820 | $26.84 |
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 | $4,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,110 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,947.69 |
| Weekly | $973.85 |
| Hourly | $24.35 |
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 Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $59,350 | 120 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $56,510 | 120 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $56,370 | 40 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $54,720 | 1,030 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $51,950 | 80 |
| Gainesville, FL | $51,580 | 40 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $51,390 | 660 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $49,870 | 90 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $48,630 | 40 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $48,430 | 60 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $48,060 | 310 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $47,360 | 450 |
| Ocala, FL | $46,470 | 40 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $45,440 | 60 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $39,690 | 130 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $39,260 | 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.
Related jobs in Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Firefighter | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,140 | $22.67 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Florida
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 Florida?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Florida is $50,640 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Florida?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Florida earn at least $85,830 a year. The top 25% earn $64,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,120 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Florida?
About 3,660 private detectives and investigators are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.