Private Detectives and Investigators Salary
The median pay for a private detectives and investigators in Vermont is $67,910/year ($32.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.95), that's roughly $67,271 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,498/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Vermont. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Vermont?
About private detectives and investigators
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What this looks like in Vermont
Vermont sits well above the national pay line for private detectives and investigators, local pay runs about 33% higher than the U.S. median of $51K. Rent runs $1,498/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.95) 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, Vermont
Entry-level private detectives and investigators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $54K spread from bottom to top.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary by metro in Vermont
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | $70K | +3% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track private detectives and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Vermont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a private detectives and investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Vermont?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 33.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,498/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/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 Vermont?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new private detectives and investigators typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,512/month. At HUD’s $1,498/month FMR, rent would take 60% 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 Vermont?
Local pay is 33% above the national median — $68K here vs. $51K nationally.
How does Vermont compare to the national average for private detectives and investigators?
Vermont pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s +33%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.95), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do private detectives and investigators make in Vermont?
The median is $67,910 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,860, and experienced private detectives and investigators can clear $95,830. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Vermont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,510/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,498/month, which eats 33.2% 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 Vermont?
Vermont has a Regional Price Parity of 100.95 (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 $67,271 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.