Private Detectives and Investigators Salary
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Alaska is $53,440/year ($25.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $51,232 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,643/month, about 44.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alaska. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $53K get you in Alaska?
About private detectives and investigators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Alaska
Private detectives and investigators pay in Alaska tracks closely to the national median, $53K locally vs. $51K nationwide, a 4% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,643/month, which is 43.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
Can a private detectives and investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 43.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for private detectives and investigators in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new private detectives and investigators typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,377/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 69% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is private detectives and investigator a high-paying job in Alaska?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $53K locally vs. $51K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for private detectives and investigators?
Alaska pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Alaska?
The median is $53,440 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,620, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $105,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,748/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 43.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a private detectives and investigators salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median private detectives and investigators salary is worth about $51,232 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do private detectives and investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.