Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Maine
Private Detectives and Investigators in Maine earn a median of $43,830 a year ($21.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,230 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $51,220. Maine ranks 41st of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.32 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| 25th percentile | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Median | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| 75th percentile | $54,070 | $25.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Average (mean) | $48,590 | $23.36 |
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 | $3,652.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,826.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,685.77 |
| Weekly | $842.88 |
| Hourly | $21.07 |
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 Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $46,610 | 100 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Firefighter | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,310 | $42.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,350 | $44.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $73,260 | $35.22 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Maine is $43,830 a year, or $21.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Maine?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Maine earn at least $67,230 a year. The top 25% earn $54,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,550 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $39,580 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Maine?
About 210 private detectives and investigators are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.