Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Vermont
Private Detectives and Investigators in Vermont earn a median of $67,910 a year ($32.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,830 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $51,220. Vermont ranks 4th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.29 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,670, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,860 | $20.13 |
| 25th percentile | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Median | $67,910 | $32.65 |
| 75th percentile | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,830 | $46.07 |
| Average (mean) | $63,670 | $30.61 |
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 | $5,659.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,829.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,611.92 |
| Weekly | $1,305.96 |
| Hourly | $32.65 |
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 Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $70,190 | 50 |
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 Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,250 | $40.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $78,110 | $37.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $65,000 | $31.25 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Vermont
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 Vermont?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Vermont is $67,910 a year, or $32.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Vermont?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Vermont earn at least $95,830 a year. The top 25% earn $76,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,860 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,640 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Vermont?
About 90 private detectives and investigators are employed in Vermont, not counting the self-employed.