Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $52,000 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,670 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $48,730. There are 0.21 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| 25th percentile | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Median | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,670 | $44.55 |
| Average (mean) | $61,390 | $29.52 |
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 | $4,333.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,166.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000 |
| Weekly | $1,000 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $62,520 | 40 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $42,140 | 50 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| Animal Control Worker | $61,950 | $29.79 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $101,970 | $49.02 |
| Firefighter | $87,980 | $42.30 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $119,500 | $57.45 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $52,000 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $92,670 a year. The top 25% earn $67,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,490 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $46,130 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 340 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.