Denver PIs Earn $10,000 More Than National Counterparts

By Simon Crittle

New national data on private investigator salaries reveals PIs in the Denver metropolitan area earn significantly more than their counterparts across the country.

The median base salary for PIs in the United States is $53,320 a year, according to new data released by U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

However, the median salary for PIs in the Denver metro area is $64,680, says the bureau.

The new national dollar amount is higher than it was in 2019 when the bureau reported the median salary at $50,510.

The new national median hourly rate for PIs is $25.64 compared to the 2019 $24.20 rate.

The new median hourly rate in the Denver metro area is $29.65.

The new data was released by the bureau on April 9, 2021, and refers to pay rates in May, 2020.

“Employment of private detectives and investigators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations,” said 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 are also doing considerably better than other professionals. The bureau says the median national salary for “all occupations” is $41,950 while “other protective service workers” earn a median of $31,230.

Nationally, the lowest 10 percent of PIs are earning less than $31,440, and the highest 10 percent are earning more than $96,950.

Denver appears to be the only metro area in Colorado beside Fort Collins where “private investor” salaries are reported by the bureau. In other areas, PI salaries are grouped with other professionals and don’t lend themselves to accurate comparisons.