Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New York
Private Detectives and Investigators in New York earn a median of $59,140 a year ($28.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,610 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $51,220. New York ranks 10th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.13 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $68,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,940 | $19.69 |
| 25th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Median | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| 75th percentile | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,610 | $49.81 |
| Average (mean) | $68,310 | $32.84 |
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 | $4,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,464.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,274.62 |
| Weekly | $1,137.31 |
| Hourly | $28.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $53,930 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | $50,730 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,540 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $50,510 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $43,890 | 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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,790 | $44.61 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Firefighter | $100,960 | $48.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $124,080 | $59.66 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $101,240 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,890 | $28.79 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in New York is $59,140 a year, or $28.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in New York?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in New York earn at least $103,610 a year. The top 25% earn $80,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,940 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $45,970 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in New York?
About 1,300 private detectives and investigators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.