Private Detectives and Investigators salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Private Detectives and Investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $42,930 a year ($20.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,500 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $41,600. There are 0.17 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $54,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 25th percentile | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Median | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| 75th percentile | $59,660 | $28.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,500 | $49.76 |
| Average (mean) | $54,730 | $26.31 |
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 | $3,577.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,788.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,651.15 |
| Weekly | $825.58 |
| Hourly | $20.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $68,310 | 970 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $44,640 | 220 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,960 | 30 |
| 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 or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,560 | $16.13 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Firefighter | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,380 | $44.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,930 | $38.91 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $42,930 a year, or $20.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $103,500 a year. The top 25% earn $59,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,120 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,460 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 230 private detectives and investigators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.