Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Hawaii
Private Detectives and Investigators in Hawaii earn a median of $45,750 a year ($21.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $51,220. Hawaii ranks 36th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.10 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $54,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Hawaii
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| 25th percentile | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Median | $45,750 | $21.99 |
| 75th percentile | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| Average (mean) | $54,920 | $26.41 |
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 | $3,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,906.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,759.62 |
| Weekly | $879.81 |
| Hourly | $21.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Hawaii at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $45,750 | 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 Hawaii
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,160 | $33.73 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $52,630 | $25.30 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $42,780 | $20.57 |
| School Bus Monitor | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,820 | $40.30 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $140,590 | $67.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $113,940 | $54.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $97,200 | $46.73 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Hawaii
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 Hawaii?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Hawaii is $45,750 a year, or $21.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Hawaii?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Hawaii earn at least $83,050 a year. The top 25% earn $66,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Hawaii?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,830 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $43,790 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Hawaii?
About 70 private detectives and investigators are employed in Hawaii, not counting the self-employed.