Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $50,540 a year ($24.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $59,140. There are 0.14 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $58,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 25th percentile | $43,170 | $20.75 |
| Median | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| 75th percentile | $67,520 | $32.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| Average (mean) | $58,470 | $28.11 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,105.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,943.85 |
| Weekly | $971.92 |
| Hourly | $24.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $53,930 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | $50,730 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $50,510 | 90 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $43,890 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Animal Control Worker | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,170 | $36.62 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,150 | $45.75 |
| Firefighter | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,910 | $29.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $50,540 a year, or $24.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $77,320 a year. The top 25% earn $67,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,960 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $43,170 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 80 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.