▼20%
$72,473
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$49k
MEDIAN
$72k
90%
$128k
The average salary for a Detective is $72,473 in 2025
Base Salary
$49k - $128k
Bonus
$1k - $21k
Total Pay
$47k - $123k
Is Average Detective Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Detectives?
What Do Detectives Do?
Detective Tasks
- Collect, store, protect, and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes to aid investigation.
- Work closely with team members and other departments.
- File reports, documents, and other paperwork.
- Interview sources.
- Respond to incidents and complaints, document interactions, and collect evidence.
Find your market worth – how it works:
How do Detectives Rate Their Jobs?
Based on 24 responses, the job of Detective has received a job satisfaction rating of 4.32 out of 5. On average, Detectives are highly satisfied with their job.
Common Health Benefits for a Detective
Medical
96%
Dental
76%
Vision
73%
None
4%
Gender Breakdown for Detectives
Male
85.4%
Female
12.5%
Prefer to self-define
2.1%
This data is based on 48 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Detectives
What is the highest pay for Detectives?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Detective is $128k / year
What is the lowest pay for Detectives?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Detective is $49k / year
How can Detectives increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Detective is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Detective that oversees more junior Detectives, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.