Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Syracuse, NY
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $50,730 a year ($24.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,470 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 14% lower than the New York statewide median of $59,140. There are 0.12 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $50,220, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 25th percentile | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Median | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| 75th percentile | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,470 | $31.00 |
| Average (mean) | $50,220 | $24.15 |
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 | $4,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,951.15 |
| Weekly | $975.58 |
| Hourly | $24.39 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $53,930 | 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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,870 | $15.80 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Firefighter | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $71,650 | $34.45 |
| Bailiff | $75,920 | $36.50 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, NY
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $50,730 a year, or $24.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $64,470 a year. The top 25% earn $55,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,260 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $43,660 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Syracuse, NY?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.