Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Rochester, NY
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $50,510 a year ($24.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $59,140. There are 0.18 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). 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 Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Median | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| 75th percentile | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| 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 | $4,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,104.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,942.69 |
| Weekly | $971.35 |
| Hourly | $24.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,140 | 1,040 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $53,930 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | $50,730 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,540 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $43,890 | 60 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,860 | $20.61 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Animal Control Worker | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,920 | $44.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Firefighter | $89,120 | $42.84 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $107,340 | $51.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,580 | $47.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $66,140 | $31.80 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Rochester, NY metro area is $50,510 a year, or $24.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $96,100 a year. The top 25% earn $75,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,470 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $40,250 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Rochester, NY?
About 90 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.