Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Mississippi
Private Detectives and Investigators in Mississippi earn a median of $39,060 a year ($18.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,170 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $51,220. Mississippi ranks 49th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.28 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,800 | $15.29 |
| 25th percentile | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| Median | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| 75th percentile | $52,360 | $25.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,170 | $33.26 |
| Average (mean) | $46,370 | $22.29 |
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 | $3,255 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,627.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,502.31 |
| Weekly | $751.15 |
| Hourly | $18.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,680 | 310 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $41,690 | 40 |
| Jackson, MS | $37,920 | 70 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| School Bus Monitor | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,440 | $11.75 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,800 | $23.94 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Firefighter | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,410 | $20.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Mississippi is $39,060 a year, or $18.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Mississippi earn at least $69,170 a year. The top 25% earn $52,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,800 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,210 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Mississippi?
About 330 private detectives and investigators are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.