Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Pennsylvania
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$79,190
- 50th Percentile — Median$97,580
- 75th Percentile — Senior$116,960
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$154,360
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pennsylvania earn more than $97,580. The top 10% make $154,360 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,770.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pennsylvania: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Pennsylvania ranks 21st of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $101,760 per year (2.3% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 3,370 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pennsylvania — 2.9% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.76: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,770; the top 10% earn over $154,360.
- Hourly equivalent: $48.92 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Pennsylvania, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($106,920).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Pennsylvania
Key factors affecting compensation
Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $101,760 on average, placing the state 21st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $101,760 is roughly equivalent to $102,788 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($103,190), West Virginia ($102,070), Nevada ($101,950) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Pennsylvania
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $106,920/yr Pennsylvania +5.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $96,250/yr Pennsylvania 5.4% vs this role
- Police Officers $81,910/yr Pennsylvania 19.5% vs this role
- Firefighters $71,340/yr Pennsylvania 29.9% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $64,650/yr Pennsylvania 36.5% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $59,880/yr Pennsylvania 41.2% vs this role
- Security Guards $40,180/yr Pennsylvania 60.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Pennsylvania?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Pennsylvania is $101,760 per year (median $97,580), which is 2.3% above the national average of $99,430.
How does Pennsylvania rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 21st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Pennsylvania?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pennsylvania earn about $63,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $79,190.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Pennsylvania?
About $48.92 per hour, based on the $101,760 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Pennsylvania?
BLS counts 3,370 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).
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