Home / Compare / Private Detectives and Investigators vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary comparison Private Detectives and Investigators vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2026) Private Detectives and Investigatorss earn a median salary of $52,370/year, while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn $76,290/year - a difference of $23,920. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Private Detectives and Investigators
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median salary
$52,370
$76,290
Hourly rate
$25.18/hr
$36.68/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,250
$47,640
Senior level (90th %)
$98,770
$115,280
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
38,700
666,990
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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