Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $46,380 a year ($22.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,330 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $47,750. There are 0.37 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Median | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| 75th percentile | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| Average (mean) | $46,790 | $22.49 |
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 | $3,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,932.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,783.85 |
| Weekly | $891.92 |
| Hourly | $22.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,680 | 310 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,960 | 100 |
| Tulsa, OK | $44,340 | 130 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $37,840 | 140 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Firefighter | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $71,730 | $34.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $39,610 | $19.05 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $46,380 a year, or $22.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $54,330 a year. The top 25% earn $54,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,340 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,650 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.