Private investigator salary in United States
How much does a Private Investigator make in the United States?
Average base salary
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The average salary for a private investigator is $23.69 per hour in the United States. 1.5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated September 13, 2026).
Highest paying companies for Private Investigator in United States
Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.Looking to Hire?
Highest paying cities for Private Investigators near United States
Where can a Private Investigator earn more?
Compare salaries for Private Investigators in different locations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Private Investigator
The average salary for a Private Investigator is $23.69 per hour in the United States. This figure is based on 1.5k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 13, 2026.
Private Investigator jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.
Private Investigator salaries typically range between a low of $14.85 and a high of $37.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.
Some of the highest-paying cities for Private Investigator include New York, NY at $34.87 per hour, Albuquerque, NM at $29.30 per hour, and San Jose, CA at $27.84 per hour.
Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Private Investigator include MERCOR ($196,560 per year) and The Staffing Resource Group, Inc ($135,200 per year).