Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Florida
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Florida is $48,880/year ($23.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in Florida?
About private detectives and investigators
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by metro in Florida
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $55K | +12% | 30 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $52K | +7% | 80 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $52K | +7% | 80 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $51K | +4% | 1,200 |
| Jacksonville | $49K | +0% | 370 |
| Gainesville | $49K | -0% | 40 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $48K | -1% | 40 |
| Port St. Lucie | $48K | -1% | 40 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $48K | -2% | 60 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $48K | -2% | 670 |
| Ocala | $47K | -4% | 40 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $46K | -6% | 60 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $46K | -7% | 110 |
| Tallahassee | $45K | -8% | 100 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $45K | -9% | 120 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $42K | -13% | 400 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
Compare to other states
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Florida?
The median is $48,880 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,580, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $96,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,443/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 48.2% 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 Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median private detectives and investigators salary is worth about $49,584 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.