Private Detective and Investigator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A private detective and investigator earns a median of $51,220 a year ($24.62 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $60,150. About 35,580 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $51,220
- Gross pay
- $1,970.00
- Federal income tax
- −$152.55
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$122.14
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$28.57
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,666.74
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $51,220
- Federal
- $3,966
- FICA
- $3,918
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $43,335
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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- First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker: $55,940
- Bailiff: $56,600
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- Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist: $56,870
- Correctional Officer and Jailer: $58,940
- Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator: $43,370
- Firefighter: $59,280
BLS occupation: Private Detectives and Investigators. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 33-9021). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detective and investigator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $24.62; the average is $28.92.
What is the salary range for a private detective and investigator?
The bottom 10% earn under $36,740 and the top 10% earn over $97,630 a year.
How much is $51,220 after taxes?
About $43,335 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $41,557 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.