District of Columbia Median
$72,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+42% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#3 of 49
state estimate
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in District of Columbia?
Private Detectives and Investigators in District of Columbia take home a median of $72,720 annually — roughly $34.96 an hour — which runs 42% above the national median of $51,220.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $45,790 while the top 10% make $156,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,330 and $107,920 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,790 | $22.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,330 | $22.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,720 | $34.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,920 | $51.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,670 | $75.32 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 3rd 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 $75,010Vermont $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 $49,360Colorado $48,730Michigan $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($72,720) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in District of Columbia is $72,720 per year, or about $34.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,790 at the entry level to $156,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 42% more than the national median of $51,220. District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,720 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Private Detectives and Investigators salary report
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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.