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Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Washington
Private Detectives and Investigators in Washington earn a median $64,080 a year, 25% above the U.S. median.
- Median in WA
- $64,080 a year
- U.S. median
- $51,220 a year
- Employment
- 750
- Location quotient
- 0.92
- Share of jobs vs. U.S. (1.00 = same)
Pay range in Washington
- Median (50%)
- $64,080 · $30.81 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $71,020 · $34.15 an hour (estimate error ±3.2%)
- 10th percentile
- $43,060 · $20.70 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $46,580 · $22.39 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $84,700 · $40.72 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $104,220 · $50.11 an hour
- Employment
- 750 (estimate error ±10.6%)
- Jobs per 1,000
- 0.21
- Location quotient
- 0.92 (1.00 = national share)
Private Detectives and Investigators pay by metro area in Washington
Includes metro areas that cross into this state and nonmetropolitan areas
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,330 | 270 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,670 | 430 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,460 | 90 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $56,530 | 30 |
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Frequently asked questions
- How much do private detectives and investigators make in Washington?
- The median wage for private detectives and investigators in Washington is $64,080 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). There are about 750 jobs in the state.
- Where in Washington do private detectives and investigators earn the most?
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has the highest median wage in the state for this occupation at $78,330 a year.