Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Kentucky
Private Detectives and Investigators in Kentucky earn a median of $47,650 a year ($22.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,150 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $51,220. Kentucky ranks 31st of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.17 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $51,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $40,220 | $19.34 |
| Median | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| 75th percentile | $56,080 | $26.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,150 | $33.73 |
| Average (mean) | $51,130 | $24.58 |
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 | $3,970.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,985.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,832.69 |
| Weekly | $916.35 |
| Hourly | $22.91 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $49,420 | 110 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $41,930 | 40 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,220 | $13.57 |
| Animal Control Worker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $36,330 | $17.46 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Kentucky is $47,650 a year, or $22.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Kentucky earn at least $70,150 a year. The top 25% earn $56,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,340 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,220 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Kentucky?
About 350 private detectives and investigators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.