Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Oregon (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Oregon Median
$76,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+49% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#1 of 49
610 employed here

How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Oregon?

Private Detectives and Investigators working in Oregon earn a median salary of $76,480 per year, or about $36.77 per hour. That is 49% above the national median of $51,220 for this occupation.

Within Oregon, entry-level pay starts around $44,610 while the top 10% make $97,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,660 and $92,390 a year.

Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Oregon

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,610$21.45
25th percentile (early career)$55,660$26.76
50th percentile (median)$76,480$36.77
75th percentile (experienced)$92,390$44.42
90th percentile (top earners)$97,500$46.88

How Oregon compares

Oregon ranks 1st 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 Oregon

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 Oregon pay ($76,480) 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 Oregon?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Oregon is $76,480 per year, or about $36.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,610 at the entry level to $97,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Oregon pay compare to the national average?
Oregon pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 49% more than the national median of $51,220. Oregon ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Oregon a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — Oregon pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,480 a year. About 610 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in Oregon. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Oregon?
The highest-paying occupations in Oregon include Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($395,340), Physician, All Other ($347,180), Chief Executive ($341,630), 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.