Private Detectives and Investigators Pay Range in Pennsylvania
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,380
- 25th Percentile — Junior$44,840
- 50th Percentile — Median$51,200
- 75th Percentile — Senior$71,830
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,470
Half of Private Detectives and Investigators in Pennsylvania earn more than $51,200. The top 10% make $91,470 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,380.
Private Detectives and Investigators in Pennsylvania: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Pennsylvania ranks 19th of 49 states for Private Detectives and Investigators pay, at $59,880 per year (0.4% below the U.S. average of $60,150).
- 1,220 people work as Private Detectives and Investigators in Pennsylvania — 3.4% of all U.S. Private Detectives and Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.88: Private Detectives and Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Pennsylvania than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,380; the top 10% earn over $91,470.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $88,260.
- Among public safety jobs in Pennsylvania, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($106,920).
Private Detectives and Investigators Job Market in Pennsylvania
Key factors affecting compensation
Pennsylvania's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Finance, and its job market is rated strong. Private Detectives and Investigators here earn $59,880 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.99 (U.S. = 1.00), a Pennsylvania salary of $59,880 is roughly equivalent to $60,485 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($62,190), Virginia ($61,940), North Carolina ($61,350) 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
Other Public Safety Jobs in Pennsylvania
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $106,920/yr Pennsylvania +78.6% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $101,760/yr Pennsylvania +69.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $96,250/yr Pennsylvania +60.7% vs this role
- Police Officers $81,910/yr Pennsylvania +36.8% vs this role
- Firefighters $71,340/yr Pennsylvania +19.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $64,650/yr Pennsylvania +8.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $40,180/yr Pennsylvania 32.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Pennsylvania?
The average Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Pennsylvania is $59,880 per year (median $51,200), which is 0.4% below the national average of $60,150.
How does Pennsylvania rank for Private Detectives and Investigators pay?
Pennsylvania ranks 19th 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 Pennsylvania?
The lowest-paid 10% of Private Detectives and Investigators in Pennsylvania earn about $38,380 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,840.
How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Pennsylvania?
About $28.79 per hour, based on the $59,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Private Detectives and Investigators work in Pennsylvania?
BLS counts 1,220 Private Detectives and Investigators jobs in Pennsylvania (OEWS May 2025).
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