Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $37,750 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 22% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $48,650. There are 0.17 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $46,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 25th percentile | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Median | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $55,750 | $26.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,990 | $34.61 |
| Average (mean) | $46,930 | $22.56 |
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 | $3,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,451.92 |
| Weekly | $725.96 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $47,690 | 350 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $42,140 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,440 | $14.15 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Firefighter | $57,540 | $27.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,150 | $45.27 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,510 | $41.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,950 | $26.90 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $37,750 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $71,990 a year. The top 25% earn $55,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,050 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,730 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.