Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median of $48,510 a year ($23.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,420 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 3% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $47,200. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| 25th percentile | $38,690 | $18.60 |
| Median | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| 75th percentile | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Average (mean) | $53,230 | $25.59 |
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 | $4,042.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,021.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,865.77 |
| Weekly | $932.88 |
| Hourly | $23.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $51,780 | 390 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,660 | 180 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,740 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $41,420 | 90 |
| Toledo, OH | $39,600 | 40 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $38,750 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,450 | $13.20 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,720 | $33.52 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,310 | $36.69 |
| Firefighter | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,270 | $25.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,230 | $47.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,390 | $39.61 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $83,620 | $40.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Bailiff | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $86,290 | $41.49 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH
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 Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $48,510 a year, or $23.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn at least $78,420 a year. The top 25% earn $63,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,810 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,690 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.