Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Puerto Rico
Private Detectives and Investigators in Puerto Rico earn a median of $42,190 a year ($20.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $51,220. There are 0.13 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $37,480, close to the median.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $42,190 | $20.29 |
| 75th percentile | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Average (mean) | $37,480 | $18.02 |
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 | $3,515.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,757.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,622.69 |
| Weekly | $811.35 |
| Hourly | $20.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,190 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $36,530 | 90 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $22,950 | $11.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $50,300 | $24.19 |
| Firefighter | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $22,640 | $10.89 |
| Bailiff | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,640 | $23.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Puerto Rico is $42,190 a year, or $20.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Puerto Rico earn at least $47,430 a year. The top 25% earn $45,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,840 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $21,840 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Puerto Rico?
About 120 private detectives and investigators are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.