Yearly Salary for a Detective

A detective writes detailed reports about his findings.

A detective is concerned with piecing together information. He investigates crimes and disputes between people and concerning property. A detective may use a variety of techniques to gather information, from observation and undercover surveillance to communications systems and computers. There are two fundamental types of practitioner: those who work for the police and those who work as private detectives.

Police Detective Average Salary

In its 2009 survey of occupational salaries in the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that the average annual wage for a police detective was $65,860. Individuals in the top 10 percent of earners received an average of $99,980 while their counterparts in the bottom 10 percent earned an average of $37,960.

Salary by Employment

Police detectives are employed at several levels of government. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average yearly pay for a detective working within a federal government agency was $75,390. Local government agencies paid an average of $61,230, while state government agencies offered $61,230 per year.

Salary by Location

The geographical location in which a police detective pursues her career will also affect her salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that across all industry sectors, the District of Columbia was the most lucrative location, paying an average of $94,620. In contrast, Louisiana was listed at $51,890. Among metropolitan districts, the Oakland, Freemont, Hayward area of California topped the table at an average salary of $98,460, while in contrast, Yuma, Arizona, offered $55,130.

Private Detective Average Salary

The 2009 survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics placed the average yearly salary for a private detective working in the United States at $47,130. Salary.com put the figure at $41,200 as of 2011, while CBSalary.com reported an average wage of $46,372 in the same year. The BLS also detailed the average wage for the top 10 percent of earners -- $75,970 -- and for their contemporaries in the lowest-earning 10 percent -- $24,700.

Salary by Employment

The vast majority of private detectives work for investigation and security services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the average yearly salary for this industry sector as $43,060. Positions within depository credit intermediation paid an average of $44,880, while legal services offered wages averaging $54,920 per year.

Salary by Location

The most profitable state for a private detective to find employment in was, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' analysis, Virginia, averaging $68,420. New Mexico and New Jersey were also lucrative, paying $64,730 and $61,750, respectively. By way of contrast, Missouri was listed at $38,650. The metropolitan location in which a private detective was likely to make the most money was the Riverside, San Bernadino, Ontario district of California, where wage levels were $82,340. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, paid just $36,890.

References

• Career Planner: Detective Job Description and Jobs
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Police and Detectives
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages - Detectives and Criminal Investigators
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages - Private Detectives and Investigators
• Salary.com: Average Detective/Investigator, Except Public
• CB Salary: Private Detective Salary