Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT is $55,970/year ($26.91/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.87), that's roughly $55,487 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,241/month — about 33.7% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $56K get you in Salt Lake City-Murray?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Salt Lake City-Murray’s Regional Price Parity (100.87). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About private detectives and investigators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $85K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Private Detectives and Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $77K | +48% | 480 |
| Maryland | $74K | +42% | 560 |
| Illinois | $73K | +40% | 1,770 |
| Minnesota | $72K | +38% | 940 |
| Connecticut | $68K | +30% | 400 |
| Wyoming | $67K | +29% | 40 |
| Vermont | $66K | +26% | N/A |
| Washington | $65K | +25% | 840 |
| Arizona | $65K | +24% | 980 |
| California | $60K | +15% | 5,260 |
| New York | $60K | +14% | 1,850 |
| Massachusetts | $58K | +10% | 480 |
| North Carolina | $55K | +5% | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $54K | +3% | 80 |
| South Carolina | $54K | +3% | 650 |
| Nebraska | $52K | -0% | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $52K | -1% | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $52K | -1% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $52K | -2% | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | -2% | 1,550 |
| Utah | $51K | -2% | 360 |
| Ohio | $50K | -4% | 1,360 |
| Michigan | $50K | -5% | 980 |
| Delaware | $49K | -6% | 120 |
| Maine | $49K | -6% | 200 |
| Florida | $49K | -7% | 3,780 |
| Virginia | $49K | -7% | 900 |
| Idaho | $48K | -8% | 300 |
| Kentucky | $48K | -8% | 490 |
| Texas | $48K | -8% | 3,440 |
| Montana | $48K | -9% | 60 |
| Nevada | $48K | -9% | 420 |
| Alabama | $47K | -10% | 580 |
| West Virginia | $47K | -11% | 250 |
| Tennessee | $47K | -11% | 690 |
| North Dakota | $46K | -13% | 60 |
| Indiana | $45K | -13% | 560 |
| Iowa | $45K | -14% | 140 |
| Kansas | $45K | -14% | 270 |
| New Mexico | $45K | -14% | 190 |
| Georgia | $45K | -15% | 1,340 |
| Hawaii | $44K | -15% | 60 |
| Missouri | $44K | -16% | 450 |
| Louisiana | $43K | -17% | 890 |
| Arkansas | $43K | -17% | 360 |
| Wisconsin | $43K | -17% | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $40K | -23% | 320 |
| Mississippi | $39K | -25% | 370 |
Showing 1–10 of 48 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Salt Lake City-Murray numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Salt Lake City-Murray, UT?
The median is $55,970 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,660, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $85,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Salt Lake City-Murray?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,701/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,241/month, which eats 33.5% 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 Salt Lake City-Murray?
Salt Lake City-Murray has a Regional Price Parity of 100.87 (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 $55,487 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.