BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio

$56,980 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$27.39 per hour

▼ 5.3% below U.S. average28th of 49 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$56,980per year
Median$47,200per year
Hourly$27.39per hour
10th – 90th percentile$37,460 – $84,930per year

Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Ohio

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,460
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$41,600
  • 50th Percentile — Median$47,200
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$70,910
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,930

Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio earn more than $47,200. The top 10% make $84,930 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,460.

Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Ohio ranks 28th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $56,980 per year (5.3% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
  • 1,560 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio — 4.4% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.23: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Ohio than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,460; the top 10% earn over $84,930.
  • Hourly equivalent: $27.39 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
  • Among public safety jobs in Ohio, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($99,370).

Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Ohio

Key factors affecting compensation

Ohio's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, and its job market is rated moderate. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $56,980 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Ohio salary of $56,980 is roughly equivalent to $64,750 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($58,800), Texas ($58,670), Nebraska ($58,140) are the closest alternatives for Private Detectives and Investigators weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Ohio?

The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Ohio is $56,980 per year (median $47,200), which is 5.3% below the national average of $60,150.

How does Ohio rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?

Ohio ranks 28th out of 49 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($88,260/yr).

How much do entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators make in Ohio?

The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio earn about $37,460 per year and the 25th percentile is $41,600.

How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Ohio?

About $27.39 per hour, based on the $56,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Ohio?

BLS counts 1,560 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Ohio (OEWS May 2025).

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