Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn a median of $41,690 a year ($20.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,970 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 7% higher than the Mississippi statewide median of $39,060. There are 0.24 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 25th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Median | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| 75th percentile | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,970 | $42.77 |
| Average (mean) | $50,710 | $24.38 |
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 | $3,474.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,737.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,603.46 |
| Weekly | $801.73 |
| Hourly | $20.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi 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 |
| Jackson, MS | $37,920 | 70 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $30,980 | $14.90 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,970 | $12.96 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,100 | $12.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Firefighter | $41,760 | $20.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $48,080 | $23.12 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS
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 Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area is $41,690 a year, or $20.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area earn at least $88,970 a year. The top 25% earn $57,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,610 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,810 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.