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SOC 33-9021·Protective ServiceOpportunity job
Private Detectives and Investigators
Median wage
$61,545
10-yr outlook
+7.5%by 2032
Openings / year
141
Workers in NY
1,850
How pay grows with experience
Private Detectives and Investigators — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $48,369 |
| Median (typical) | $61,545 |
| Experienced | $88,872 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Private Detectives and Investigators — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Long Island | $72,686 |
| Central New York | $71,082 |
| Hudson Valley | $61,545 |
| New York City | $61,545 |
| Finger Lakes | $57,083 |
| Mohawk Valley | $49,542 |
| Western New York | $48,451 |
| Capital Region | $48,213 |
| Southern Tier | $47,013 |
| North Country | $45,775 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
These occupations are in the same broad field (Protective Service) and pay more than a Private Detectives and Investigators. It's a transparent “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Transportation Security Screeners$72,431 median (+$10,886) · +18.9% by 2032
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators$77,217 median (+$15,671)
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$77,474 median (+$15,928) · +8.8% by 2032
- Bailiffs$83,230 median (+$21,684) · +12.7% by 2032
- Firefighters$90,893 median (+$29,347) · +20.5% by 2032
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$94,783 median (+$33,238)
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