Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Oregon
Private Detectives and Investigators in Oregon earn a median of $76,480 a year ($36.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%. That is 49% higher than the national median of $51,220. Oregon ranks 1st of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.31 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,690, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| 25th percentile | $55,660 | $26.76 |
| Median | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| 75th percentile | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,500 | $46.88 |
| Average (mean) | $74,690 | $35.91 |
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 | $6,373.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,186.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,941.54 |
| Weekly | $1,470.77 |
| Hourly | $36.77 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | $81,070 | 180 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,330 | 270 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $63,940 | 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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| School Bus Monitor | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Animal Control Worker | $66,130 | $31.79 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,140 | $42.38 |
| Firefighter | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $99,890 | $48.02 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Oregon is $76,480 a year, or $36.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Oregon?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Oregon earn at least $97,500 a year. The top 25% earn $92,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,610 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $55,660 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Oregon?
About 610 private detectives and investigators are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.