Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Massachusetts
Private Detectives and Investigators in Massachusetts earn a median of $50,240 a year ($24.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,090 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $51,220. Massachusetts ranks 25th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.08 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $70,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| 25th percentile | $42,540 | $20.45 |
| Median | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| 75th percentile | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,090 | $58.21 |
| Average (mean) | $70,110 | $33.71 |
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 | $4,186.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,093.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,932.31 |
| Weekly | $966.15 |
| Hourly | $24.15 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $60,910 | 230 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,560 | 80 |
| Worcester, MA | $42,720 | 30 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Animal Control Worker | $60,930 | $29.29 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Massachusetts is $50,240 a year, or $24.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Massachusetts earn at least $121,090 a year. The top 25% earn $94,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,250 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $42,540 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Massachusetts?
About 280 private detectives and investigators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.