Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Ohio
Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio earn a median of $47,200 a year ($22.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,930 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $51,220. Ohio ranks 33rd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.28 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 75th percentile | $70,910 | $34.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Average (mean) | $56,980 | $27.40 |
Half of private detectives and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,933.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,966.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,815.38 |
| Weekly | $907.69 |
| Hourly | $22.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $51,780 | 390 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,510 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,660 | 180 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,740 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $41,420 | 90 |
| Toledo, OH | $39,600 | 40 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $38,750 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for private detectives and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $76,480 |
| Connecticut | $75,010 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Vermont | $67,910 |
| New Hampshire | $65,370 |
| Washington | $64,080 |
| California | $61,250 |
| Arizona | $61,030 |
| Illinois | $60,210 |
| New York | $59,140 |
See Private Detectives and Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Firefighter | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,370 | $28.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,300 | $38.13 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private detectives and investigators make in Ohio?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Ohio is $47,200 a year, or $22.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Ohio?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Ohio earn at least $84,930 a year. The top 25% earn $70,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,600 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Ohio?
About 1,560 private detectives and investigators are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.