Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Missouri
Private Detectives and Investigators in Missouri earn a median of $41,600 a year ($20.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,720 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $51,220. Missouri ranks 45th 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 $48,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,660 | $16.18 |
| 25th percentile | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Median | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 75th percentile | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| Average (mean) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
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 | $3,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,733.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,600 |
| Weekly | $800 |
| Hourly | $20.00 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $44,640 | 220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,930 | 230 |
| Springfield, MO | $38,690 | 60 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,560 | $16.13 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Firefighter | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,440 | $45.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,650 | $36.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Missouri is $41,600 a year, or $20.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Missouri earn at least $67,720 a year. The top 25% earn $51,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,660 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,480 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Missouri?
About 590 private detectives and investigators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.