Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Kansas
Private Detectives and Investigators in Kansas earn a median of $45,260 a year ($21.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,520 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $51,220. Kansas ranks 37th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Median | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| 75th percentile | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Average (mean) | $50,220 | $24.15 |
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 | $3,771.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,885.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,740.77 |
| Weekly | $870.38 |
| Hourly | $21.76 |
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 Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $44,640 | 220 |
| Wichita, KS | $37,940 | 80 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,150 | $20.26 |
| Animal Control Worker | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Firefighter | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Kansas is $45,260 a year, or $21.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Kansas?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Kansas earn at least $76,520 a year. The top 25% earn $60,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,900 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Kansas?
About 280 private detectives and investigators are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.