Private Detectives and Investigators in Oklahoma

Is Oklahoma a good place for you to work as a Private Detective or Investigator?

You’re in luck! Jobs for Private Detectives and Investigators in Oklahoma are projected to grow and these jobs tend to pay higher than average.

• Projected employment for Private Detectives and Investigators in Oklahoma is growing faster than average.

• Private Detectives and Investigators in Oklahoma earn lower salaries than the typical U.S. wage earner.

How Many Private Detectives and Investigators Work in Oklahoma?

There were approximately 300 workers employed as Private Detectives and Investigators in this state in 2018.

There were 350 Private Detectives and Investigators employed in this state in 2017.

That’s a decline of 50 jobs between 2017 and 2018.

The typical state has 320 Private Detectives and Investigators working in it, which means Oklahoma has fewer Private Detectives and Investigators than average.

Job Projections for Oklahoma

Jobs for Private Detectives and Investigators in this state are growing at a rate of 10.0% which is slower than the nationwide estimated projection of 10.6%.

Oklahoma Annual Job Openings

The BLS estimates there will be 30 annual job openings, and 330 total jobs in 2026 for Private Detectives and Investigators in this state.

Nationwide, the prediction is 4,500 annual jobs and 45,800 total jobs in 2026.

What do Private Detectives and Investigators Make in Oklahoma?

In 2018 wages for Private Detectives and Investigators ranged from $25,570 to $65,560 with $37,220 being the median annual salary.

Broken down to an hourly rate, workers in this field made anywhere from $12.29 to $31.52. The median hourly rate was $17.89.

The median salary in Oklahoma is higher than the nationwide median salary.

Top Oklahoma Metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

The table below shows some of the metros in this state with the most Private Detectives and Investigators.

Metro	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Tulsa, OK	190	$29,840
Oklahoma City, OK	60	$58,750

Top States for Private Detectives and Investigators Employment

The table below shows the states where most Private Detectives and Investigators work.

State	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
California	3,870	$65,420
Pennsylvania	3,100	$42,750
Florida	2,860	$36,570
New York	1,720	$59,780
Texas	1,570	$46,720
Ohio	1,280	$38,080
Georgia	1,080	$47,500
Illinois	860	$55,580
New Jersey	740	$62,060
Tennessee	580	$0
North Carolina	570	$51,370
Massachusetts	550	$54,340
Michigan	530	$50,620
Louisiana	520	$44,490
Minnesota	490	$0
Nevada	460	$69,300
Arizona	380	$52,060
Oregon	350	$52,260
Colorado	340	$50,740
Oklahoma	300	$37,220

Below are the states where Private Detectives and Investigators get paid the most:

State	Annual Median Salary
Nevada	$69,300
District of Columbia	$68,940
Alaska	$67,240
California	$65,420
Virginia	$65,170
New Jersey	$62,060
New York	$59,780
Idaho	$57,310
Connecticut	$57,300
Maryland	$56,580

What Major Will Prepare You For a Private Detective or Investigator Career?

• Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting
• Criminal Justice & Corrections
• Criminal Justice & Police Science
• Protective Services Operations

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online

More about our data sources and methodologies.