Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area earn a median of $45,750 a year ($21.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,130 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is about the same as the Hawaii statewide median of $45,750. There are 0.11 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $54,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Urban Honolulu, HI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| 25th percentile | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Median | $45,750 | $21.99 |
| 75th percentile | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Average (mean) | $54,760 | $26.33 |
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 | $3,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,906.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,759.62 |
| Weekly | $879.81 |
| Hourly | $21.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Hawaii at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Hawaii statewide figures.
Related jobs in Urban Honolulu, HI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,580 | $20.47 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,920 | $31.69 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,800 | $19.62 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,820 | $40.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $140,590 | $67.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,920 | $26.41 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $140,750 | $67.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $77,190 | $37.11 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Urban Honolulu, HI
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 Urban Honolulu, HI?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area is $45,750 a year, or $21.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Urban Honolulu, HI?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area earn at least $85,130 a year. The top 25% earn $68,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Urban Honolulu, HI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,830 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $43,790 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Urban Honolulu, HI?
About 50 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Urban Honolulu, HI metro area, not counting the self-employed.