What are the main factors that influence a Secret Shopper's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Secret Shopper's salary?

A Secret Shopper's salary grows with experience: a Secret Shopper (0-1 years)earns $34,473, a Food & Beverage Supervisor (1-3 years)earns $43,868, a Food & Beverage Manager (3-5 years)earns $98,291, a Food & Beverage Senior Manager (5+ years)earns $122,760,

What are the highest paying states for a Secret Shopper?

Secret Shopper salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Secret Shopper roles are District of Columbia $33,887, California $33,758, Massachusetts $33,308. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Secret Shopper roles make?

Salaries for Secret Shopper level roles vary by specialization: Grocery Shopper: $96,738; Secret Clearance: $83,120; Personal Shopper: $75,322; In Store Shopper: $74,324; Professional Shopper: $71,865.

Secret Shopper Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Secret Shopper make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Secret Shopper in District of Columbia is $33,887 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Secret Shopper's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,439
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,071 to $36,269
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,507

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Secret Shopper Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$36,269	$3,022	$697	$17
Average	$33,887	$2,824	$652	$16
25th Percentile	$31,071	$2,589	$598	$15

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Key Factors That Influence Secret Shopper Salaries

A Secret Shopper's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Secret Shopper Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Secret Shoppers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $33,887.
California: $33,758.
Massachusetts: $33,308.

District of Columbia $33,887 California $33,758 Massachusetts $33,308 Washington $33,186 New Jersey $33,174 Alaska $33,131 Connecticut $32,708 New York $32,537

Hawaii $31,989 Rhode Island $31,732 Maryland $31,558 Minnesota $31,319 Colorado $31,227 Illinois $31,196 Oregon $31,080 Delaware $30,994

New Hampshire $30,941 Virginia $30,820 Pennsylvania $30,468 Nevada $30,291 North Dakota $30,232 Michigan $30,141 Wisconsin $30,107 Vermont $30,040

Texas $29,853 Maine $29,841 Arizona $29,822 Ohio $29,801 Georgia $29,519 Indiana $29,379 Wyoming $29,351 Utah $29,308

Iowa $29,290 Kansas $29,143 Louisiana $29,100 North Carolina $29,085 Missouri $29,079 Florida $28,959 Montana $28,895 Nebraska $28,834

Kentucky $28,800 South Carolina $28,678 Tennessee $28,601 Idaho $28,571 New Mexico $28,347 Oklahoma $28,298 Alabama $28,118 South Dakota $27,815

Arkansas $27,649 West Virginia $27,561 Mississippi $27,294

Top Paying Cities for Secret Shoppers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $33,703
Washington: $33,703
Naval Anacost Annex: $33,702

Parcel Return Service, DC $33,703 Washington, DC $33,703 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $33,702 Washington Navy Yard, DC $33,703

Secret Shopper Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Secret Shopper's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

$31,071

Average $33,887/year

$36,269

$2,589

Average $2,824/month

$3,022

$598

Average $652/week

$697

$15

Average $16/hour

$17

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$36,269	$3,022	$697	$17
Average	$33,887	$2,824	$652	$16
25th Percentile	$31,071	$2,589	$598	$15

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