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Occupation · SOC 33-9021

Private Detectives and Investigators

There are 35,580 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $51,220 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

Protective ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
35,580
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$51,220
Median pay a year
Middle half: $40,700–$73,990
3,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.5%
2
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
0 in the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 154 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $61,680 · LCA filings 01,520$61,6800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $61,460 · LCA filings 11,070$61,4601
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $59,140 · LCA filings 21,040$59,1402
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $54,720 · LCA filings 01,030$54,7200
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $45,080 · LCA filings 0980$45,0800
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $68,310 · LCA filings 0970$68,3100
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $73,430 · LCA filings 0860$73,4300
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $62,300 · LCA filings 0790$62,3000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,110 · LCA filings 0710$46,1100
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $51,390 · LCA filings 0660$51,3900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Memphis, TN–MS–AREmployment 310 · LCA filings 0$99,6803100
Salem, OREmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$81,0701800
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR–WAEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$78,3302700
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTEmployment 150 · LCA filings 0$77,5401500
Waterbury–Shelton, CTEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$76,630500

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 1,040211,040
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 1,070111,070

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $56,014 · Level III $67,808 · Level IV $79,602$44,221$56,014$67,808$79,602
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $49,192 · Level III $62,504 · Level IV $75,795$35,901$49,192$62,504$75,795
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $59,405 · Level III $71,822 · Level IV $84,240$46,987$59,405$71,822$84,240
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $47,154 · Level III $58,552 · Level IV $69,930$35,776$47,154$58,552$69,930
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $48,069 · Level III $57,949 · Level IV $67,850$38,168$48,069$57,949$67,850
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $55,474 · Level III $67,891 · Level IV $80,309$43,056$55,474$67,891$80,309
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $59,571 · Level III $73,944 · Level IV $88,317$45,198$59,571$73,944$88,317
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $60,008 · Level III $73,070 · Level IV $86,133$46,946$60,008$73,070$86,133
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $45,510 · Level III $55,869 · Level IV $66,227$35,152$45,510$55,869$66,227
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $45,386 · Level III $54,808 · Level IV $64,230$35,963$45,386$54,808$64,230

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCIP 43.01OPT · up to 12 months800OPT · up to 12 months
Security Science and TechnologyCIP 43.04Varies by program343Varies by program

See Private Detectives and Investigators in every metro area

All 154 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology