Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $64,400 a year ($30.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 6% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $61,030. There are 0.26 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| 25th percentile | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Median | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| 75th percentile | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,160 | $44.31 |
| Average (mean) | $64,950 | $31.23 |
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 | $5,366.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,683.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,476.92 |
| Weekly | $1,238.46 |
| Hourly | $30.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $41,450 | 70 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| Animal Control Worker | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $103,010 | $49.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,860 | $47.53 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $64,400 a year, or $30.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $92,160 a year. The top 25% earn $79,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,060 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,930 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 610 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.