Private Detectives and Investigators salary in New Jersey
Private Detectives and Investigators in New Jersey earn a median of $54,710 a year ($26.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,750 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $51,220. New Jersey ranks 15th of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.10 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $66,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| 25th percentile | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Median | $54,710 | $26.31 |
| 75th percentile | $91,990 | $44.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,750 | $49.88 |
| Average (mean) | $66,160 | $31.81 |
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 | $4,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,279.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,104.23 |
| Weekly | $1,052.12 |
| Hourly | $26.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $53,680 | 450 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $50,710 | 50 |
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 Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $48,620 | $23.37 |
| Animal Control Worker | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| Firefighter | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $55.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,210 | $64.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 Jersey?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in New Jersey is $54,710 a year, or $26.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in New Jersey earn at least $103,750 a year. The top 25% earn $91,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,980 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $42,890 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in New Jersey?
About 410 private detectives and investigators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.