Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Louisiana
Private Detectives and Investigators in Louisiana earn a median of $41,950 a year ($20.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,690 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $51,220. Louisiana ranks 42nd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.44 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 25th percentile | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Median | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 75th percentile | $52,930 | $25.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,690 | $32.55 |
| Average (mean) | $46,110 | $22.17 |
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 | $3,495.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,747.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,613.46 |
| Weekly | $806.73 |
| Hourly | $20.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,810 | 230 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $44,390 | 70 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $43,500 | 250 |
| Lafayette, LA | $39,800 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,030 | 40 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,250 | $12.14 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,240 | $10.69 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $25,450 | $12.24 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Animal Control Worker | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Firefighter | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $60,450 | $29.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Louisiana is $41,950 a year, or $20.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Louisiana earn at least $67,690 a year. The top 25% earn $52,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,000 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $36,750 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Louisiana?
About 860 private detectives and investigators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.