How much do detectives get paid?

Detectives get paid a mean annual wage of $79,030, or $38 per hour, according to the 2013 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A detective's annual salary varies depending upon factors that include geographic location, education, experience and employment sector.

The lowest-paid detectives earn a yearly salary of about $40,110, or $19.29 per hour. The highest-paid detectives earn an annually salary of $125,320, or $60.25 per hour. Detectives can expect to receive some of the best wages in San Francisco, with an annual mean wage of $119,530. The annual mean wage in Alaska is $109,930 while in the District of Columbia it is $116,210.