Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn a median of $44,390 a year ($21.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,580 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 6% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $41,950. There are 0.67 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,020 | $10.11 |
| 25th percentile | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Median | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 75th percentile | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Average (mean) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
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 | $3,699.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,849.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,707.31 |
| Weekly | $853.65 |
| Hourly | $21.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,810 | 230 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $43,500 | 250 |
| Lafayette, LA | $39,800 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,030 | 40 |
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 or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $21,390 | $10.29 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,260 | $13.11 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Firefighter | $29,500 | $14.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,990 | $36.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,030 | $21.65 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA
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 Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area is $44,390 a year, or $21.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area earn at least $75,580 a year. The top 25% earn $57,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,020 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,020 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.