Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Hawaii (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Private Detectives and Investigators in Hawaii, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Hawaii Median
$45,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#36 of 49
70 employed here

How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Hawaii?

Private Detectives and Investigators working in Hawaii earn a median salary of $45,750 per year, or about $22.00 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $51,220 for this occupation.

Within Hawaii, entry-level pay starts around $41,830 while the top 10% make $83,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,790 and $66,350 a year.

Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Hawaii

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,830$20.11
25th percentile (early career)$43,790$21.05
50th percentile (median)$45,750$22.00
75th percentile (experienced)$66,350$31.90
90th percentile (top earners)$83,050$39.93

How Hawaii compares

Hawaii ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories for Private Detectives and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$76,480
2Connecticut$75,010
3District of Columbia$72,720
4Vermont$67,910
5New Hampshire$65,370

Working as Private Detectives and Investigators in Hawaii

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 Hawaii pay ($45,750) 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 Hawaii?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Hawaii is $45,750 per year, or about $22.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,830 at the entry level to $83,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Hawaii pay compare to the national average?
Hawaii pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 11% less than the national median of $51,220. Hawaii ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Hawaii a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,750 a year. About 70 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii?
The highest-paying occupations in Hawaii include Physician, All Other ($339,290), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($338,130), Psychiatrist ($289,990), 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.