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Detective salary in United States (Updated 2026)

How much does a Detective make in the United States?

Average base salary

$96,427
Average $96,427
Low $48,633
High $191,188

The average salary for a detective is $96,427 per year in the United States. 766 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated June 28, 2026).

Detective job openings in United States

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Fire Detection Service Technic...
Johnson Controls3.6out of 5 stars.
Honolulu, HI
$23.50 - $32.31 an hour
Full-time
15 hours ago

Highest paying companies for Detective in United States

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Grammarly
 
$295,000per year
View company
TORC Robotics
 
$274,650per year
View company
Gibson Dunn
 
$270,000per year
View company
Roblox
 
$269,270per year
View company
Apple
 
$236,900per year
View company
HARVEY
 
$235,000per year
View company

Highest paying cities for Detectives near United States

  1. Houston, TX
    $158,603 per year
  2. Los Angeles, CA
    $149,382 per year
  3. Washington, DC
    $124,815 per year
  4. New York, NY
    $118,542 per year
  5. Omaha, NE
    $117,426 per year

Where can a Detective earn more?

Compare salaries for Detectives in different locations
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