Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $44,640 a year ($21.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,600 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $41,600. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| 25th percentile | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Median | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 75th percentile | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,600 | $36.35 |
| Average (mean) | $50,070 | $24.07 |
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 | $3,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,860 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,716.92 |
| Weekly | $858.46 |
| Hourly | $21.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,930 | 230 |
| Springfield, MO | $38,690 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $37,940 | 80 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,500 | $15.15 |
| Animal Control Worker | $44,310 | $21.31 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Firefighter | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,830 | $47.04 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $90,640 | $43.58 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,490 | $43.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,800 | $27.79 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $44,640 a year, or $21.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $75,600 a year. The top 25% earn $60,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,950 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $37,980 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 220 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.