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Compare private investigator licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$52,541
across 49 states
Avg. Time to License
3.1 years
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$388
across 32 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,180#34 | 3.1 yr#1 | $225#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Alaska | $54,080#14 | 3.1 yr#1 | $50 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arizona | $64,960#9 | 3.1 yr#1 | $722#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arkansas | $43,310#46 | 3.1 yr#1 | $336#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| California | $60,210#10 | 3.1 yr#1 | $725#8 | 1 mo#1 |
| Colorado | $49,720#23 | 3.1 yr#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Connecticut | $68,290#5 | 3.1 yr#1 | $1,450#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| Delaware | $49,400#25 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| District of Columbia | — | 3.1 yr#1 | —#40 | 1 mo#1 |
| Florida | $48,880#27 | 3.1 yr#1 | $167#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| Georgia | $44,590#42 | 3.1 yr#1 | $115#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Hawaii | $44,390#43 | 3.1 yr#1 | $310#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Idaho | $48,170#29 | 3.1 yr#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Illinois | $73,070#3 | 3.1 yr#1 | $400#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Indiana | $45,400#38 | 3.1 yr#1 | $300#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| Iowa | $45,070#39 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kansas | $45,020#40 | 3.1 yr#1 | $250#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kentucky | $48,130#30 | 3.1 yr#1 | $556#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| Louisiana | $43,390#45 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maine | $49,360#26 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#5 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maryland | $74,360#2 | 3.1 yr#1 | $15#40 | 1 mo#1 |
| Massachusetts | $57,840#12 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Michigan | $49,700#24 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Minnesota | $72,070#4 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#42 | 1 mo#1 |
| Mississippi | $39,460#49 | 3.1 yr#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Missouri | $43,780#44 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| Montana | $47,910#32 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nebraska | $52,160#16 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nevada | $47,550#33 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#45 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Hampshire | $51,990#17 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#5 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Jersey | $51,540#19 | 3.1 yr#1 | —#42 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Mexico | $44,870#41 | 3.1 yr#1 | $400#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| New York | $59,840#11 | 3.1 yr#1 | $775#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Carolina | $55,190#13 | 3.1 yr#1 | $450#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Dakota | $45,710#37 | 3.1 yr#1 | $400#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Ohio | $50,060#22 | 3.1 yr#1 | $375#20 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oklahoma | $40,470#48 | 3.1 yr#1 | $450#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oregon | $77,320#1 | 3.1 yr#1 | $350#17 | 1 mo#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,220#20 | 3.1 yr#1 | $450#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Rhode Island | $51,610#18 | 3.1 yr#1 | $400#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Carolina | $53,890#15 | 3.1 yr#1 | $350#17 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Dakota | — | 3.1 yr#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
| Tennessee | $46,560#36 | 3.1 yr#1 | $450#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Texas | $48,070#31 | 3.1 yr#1 | $135#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Utah | $51,130#21 | 3.1 yr#1 | $350#17 | 1 mo#1 |
| Vermont | $66,070#7 | 3.1 yr#1 | $200#5 | 1 mo#1 |
| Virginia | $48,740#28 | 3.1 yr#1 | $300#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| Washington | $65,370#8 | 3.1 yr#1 | $250#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| West Virginia | $46,830#35 | 3.1 yr#1 | $450#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wisconsin | $43,210#47 | 3.1 yr#1 | $250#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wyoming | $67,360#6 | 3.1 yr#1 | — | 1 mo#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.
See how states compare on a single dimension: