Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New Hampshire
Private Detectives and Investigators in New Hampshire earn a median of $65,370 a year ($31.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,150 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $51,220. New Hampshire ranks 5th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.41 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in New Hampshire
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 25th percentile | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Median | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 75th percentile | $78,300 | $37.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,150 | $59.69 |
| Average (mean) | $69,350 | $33.34 |
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 | $5,447.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,723.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,514.23 |
| Weekly | $1,257.12 |
| Hourly | $31.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Hampshire at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in New Hampshire
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $70,780 | 100 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $60,910 | 230 |
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 New Hampshire
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $45,980 | $22.11 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,100 | $15.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Firefighter | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $71,640 | $34.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,060 | $48.10 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $89,290 | $42.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $66,780 | $32.11 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in New Hampshire is $65,370 a year, or $31.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in New Hampshire?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in New Hampshire earn at least $124,150 a year. The top 25% earn $78,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in New Hampshire?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,510 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $46,970 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in New Hampshire?
About 280 private detectives and investigators are employed in New Hampshire, not counting the self-employed.