Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $46,560 a year ($22.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the Rhode Island statewide median of $54,620. There are 0.11 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $59,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Median | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| 75th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,080 | $39.94 |
| Average (mean) | $59,380 | $28.55 |
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 | $3,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,940 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,790.77 |
| Weekly | $895.38 |
| Hourly | $22.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $60,910 | 230 |
| Worcester, MA | $42,720 | 30 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Animal Control Worker | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,460 | $16.09 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Firefighter | $66,150 | $31.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,540 | $41.13 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $46,560 a year, or $22.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $83,080 a year. The top 25% earn $79,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,230 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 80 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.