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Surveillance Agent Salary in the United States

How much does a Surveillance Agent make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surveillance Agent in the United States is $39,956 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,681
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,381 to $44,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,127
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Surveillance Agent Salaries

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

How Do Surveillance Agent 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 Surveillance Agents. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $44,239.
  • California: $44,071.
  • Massachusetts: $43,484.

Top Paying Cities for Surveillance Agents

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:

  • San Jose: $50,397
  • San Francisco: $49,845
  • Oakland: $48,794

What Skills Can Increase a Surveillance Agent's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Team Building (Mentioned in 9.78% Job Postings): Shaping a group of individuals into a cohesive and effective unit, focused on a central objective.
  • Claim Investigation (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): The Claims Investigation process is one in which Insurance Companies, Insurance Examiners, or Investigators obtain information to evaluate a claim.
  • Computer Literacy (Mentioned in 2.31% Job Postings): Ability to use computers and related technology efficiently.
Skills Demand Percentage
Team Building 9.78%
Claim Investigation 2.77%
Computer Literacy 2.31%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Surveillance Agent's salary.

  • Computer Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 69%.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 45%.
  • Strategic Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Engineering $67,526
69%
Products and Services $57,936
45%
Strategic Planning $53,541
34%
Get Latest Data

Surveillance Agent Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surveillance Agent roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Surveillance Agent positions in Edu.,Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Surveillance Agent as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Surveillance Agent

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$43,952$21.010%

How Education impacts a Surveillance Agent's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surveillance Agents enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Surveillance Agent with a No Diploma is between $36,624 and $38,926).

Surveillance Agent Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Surveillance Agent
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 61.3%
High School 61.3%
Associates 16.1%
Bachelors 19.4%
Masters 3.2%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Surveillance Agent Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surveillance Agent'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 September 01, 2026
$36,381
Average $39,956/year
$44,000
$3,032
Average $3,330/month
$3,667
$700
Average $768/week
$846
$17
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $44,000 $3,667 $846 $21
Average $39,956 $3,330 $768 $19
25th Percentile $36,381 $3,032 $700 $17

Most common benefits for Surveillance Agent

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Surveillance Agent

Here are companies hiring for Surveillance Agent and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Surveillance Agent Job

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FAQ about Surveillance Agent

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Surveillance Agent?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Surveillance Agent roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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