Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Michigan
Private Detectives and Investigators in Michigan earn a median of $48,650 a year ($23.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,420 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $51,220. Michigan ranks 28th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.19 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 25th percentile | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Median | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 75th percentile | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,420 | $42.03 |
| Average (mean) | $53,850 | $25.89 |
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 | $4,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,027.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,871.15 |
| Weekly | $935.58 |
| Hourly | $23.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,650 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 cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $47,690 | 350 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $42,140 | 80 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $37,750 | 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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,480 | $15.62 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,390 | $32.40 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Firefighter | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,500 | $26.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Michigan is $48,650 a year, or $23.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Michigan earn at least $87,420 a year. The top 25% earn $61,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,360 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,410 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Michigan?
About 850 private detectives and investigators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.