Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn a median of $61,460 a year ($29.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,540 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 4% lower than the Washington statewide median of $64,080. There are 0.35 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| 25th percentile | $42,780 | $20.57 |
| Median | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| 75th percentile | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Average (mean) | $62,220 | $29.91 |
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 | $5,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,560.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,363.85 |
| Weekly | $1,181.92 |
| Hourly | $29.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,330 | 270 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,670 | 430 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $56,530 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $41,310 | $19.86 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Firefighter | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $95,660 | $45.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $107,350 | $51.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,340 | $61.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,870 | $47.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $72,580 | $34.89 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA
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 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area is $61,460 a year, or $29.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area earn at least $81,540 a year. The top 25% earn $81,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,350 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $42,780 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA?
About 90 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.