Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Georgia
Private Detectives and Investigators in Georgia earn a median of $45,060 a year ($21.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,680 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $51,220. Georgia ranks 38th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.30 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Median | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| 75th percentile | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,680 | $46.48 |
| Average (mean) | $54,730 | $26.31 |
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 | $3,755 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,877.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,733.08 |
| Weekly | $866.54 |
| Hourly | $21.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $45,960 | 60 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,080 | 980 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $41,330 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $36,750 | 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.
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Animal Control Worker | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Firefighter | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $65,430 | $31.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,400 | $23.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Georgia is $45,060 a year, or $21.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Georgia?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Georgia earn at least $96,680 a year. The top 25% earn $59,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,570 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,650 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Georgia?
About 1,460 private detectives and investigators are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.