Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Rhode Island
Private Detectives and Investigators in Rhode Island earn a median of $54,620 a year ($26.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,140 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $51,220. Rhode Island ranks 16th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.11 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $60,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Median | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| 75th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Average (mean) | $60,960 | $29.31 |
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 | $4,551.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,275.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,100.77 |
| Weekly | $1,050.38 |
| Hourly | $26.26 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,560 | 80 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Firefighter | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,100 | $37.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Rhode Island is $54,620 a year, or $26.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Rhode Island earn at least $79,140 a year. The top 25% earn $79,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $39,830 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Rhode Island?
About 60 private detectives and investigators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.