▼24%
$78,825
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$45k
MEDIAN
$79k
90%
$131k
The average salary for a Detective is $78,825 in 2025
Base Salary
$45k - $131k
Bonus
$3k - $5k
Total Pay
$44k - $129k
Is Average Detective with Fraud Investigation Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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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:
Common Health Benefits for a Detective
Medical
96%
Dental
80%
Vision
80%
None
4%
Gender Breakdown for Detectives
Male
88.0%
Female
12.0%
This data is based on 25 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 $131k / year
What is the lowest pay for Detectives?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Detective is $45k / 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.