Denver PIs earn more than most, says Labor bureau

Private investigators in the Denver metropolitan area earn significantly more than their counterparts across the country.

The mean salary for PIs in the United States is $59,400 a year, according to the latest data released by U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

However, the mean salary for PIs in the Denver metro area is $70,580, says the bureau.

Across Colorado, the mean salary for PIs is $66,360. In Colorado Springs it is just $57,960.

Other states with high mean salaries include Oregon ($70,640), New York ($69,260), Virginia ($68,340), New Hampshire ($67,960), and Washington ($67,490).

The latest national mean hourly rate for PIs is $25.06, significantly lower than the mean hourly rate in Colorado ($31.90) and in Denver ($33.93). In Colorado Springs it is $27.87.

“Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations,” says the bureau.

“Demand for private detectives and investigators will stem from security concerns and from the need to protect confidential information. Strong competition can be expected for jobs.”

Nationally, PIs in Colorado and Denver are also doing better than other professionals. The bureau says the mean national salary for “all occupations” is $61,900.

The salaries and wages for private investigators were last updated by the bureau in mid-2023.

Ryan Ross
Ryan Ross
Articles: 21

One comment

  1. Being g a New York PI this article can’t be further from the truth. Living in NY 70, 000 per year is below poverty level. Every PI I know in the Tri-State area makes at least 6 figures…

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