Washington Median
$64,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $51,220
State Rank
#6 of 49
750 employed here
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make in Washington?
Private Detectives and Investigators working in Washington earn a median salary of $64,080 per year, or about $30.81 per hour. That is 25% above the national median of $51,220 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $43,060 while the top 10% make $104,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,580 and $84,700 a year.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,060 | $20.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,580 | $22.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,080 | $30.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,220 | $50.11 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 6th 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 $65,370California $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($64,080) 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 Washington?
The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Washington is $64,080 per year, or about $30.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,060 at the entry level to $104,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Private Detectives and Investigators about 25% more than the national median of $51,220. Washington ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Private Detectives and Investigators?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,080 a year. About 750 Private Detectives and Investigators are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.