Colorado Median
$48,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#27 of 49
540 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Colorado?
Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado take home a median of $48,730 annually — roughly $23.43 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $51,220.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $41,110 while the top 10% make $86,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,150 and $67,800 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,110 | $19.76 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,150 | $21.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,730 | $23.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $67,800 | $32.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,430 | $41.55 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 27th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other states
Oregon $76,480Connecticut $75,010District of Columbia $72,720Vermont $67,910New Hampshire $65,370Washington $64,080California $61,250Arizona $61,030Illinois $60,210New York $59,140Utah $57,910Minnesota $57,880Virginia $56,160Delaware $55,710New Jersey $54,710Rhode Island $54,620Wyoming $54,310Alaska $53,440North Carolina $52,890Texas $51,810Nebraska $51,750South Carolina $51,530Pennsylvania $51,200Florida $50,640Massachusetts $50,240Tennessee $49,360Michigan $48,650Idaho $47,910Arkansas $47,750Kentucky $47,650Montana $47,430Ohio $47,200Alabama $46,810West Virginia $46,410Hawaii $45,750Kansas $45,260Georgia $45,060South Dakota $44,840North Dakota $44,310Maine $43,830Louisiana $41,950Wisconsin $41,850Indiana $41,830Missouri $41,600New Mexico $41,600Iowa $41,110Oklahoma $39,680Mississippi $39,060
Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in Colorado
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($48,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Colorado?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Colorado is $48,730 per year, or about $23.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,110 at the entry level to $86,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 5% less than the national median of $51,220. Colorado ranks 27th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,730 a year. About 540 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in Colorado. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Private Detectives and Investigators salary report
Related salaries
$38,100
median pay · 94,000 employed
$45,660
median pay · 12,000 employed
$43,370
median pay · 10,000 employed
$46,730
median pay · 9,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
$38,020
median pay · 1,283,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.