Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Pennsylvania
Private Detectives and Investigators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,200 a year ($24.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,470 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $51,220. Pennsylvania ranks 23rd of 49 states for private detectives and investigators pay. There are 0.20 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Median | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| 75th percentile | $71,830 | $34.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,470 | $43.98 |
| Average (mean) | $59,880 | $28.79 |
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 | $4,266.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,133.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,969.23 |
| Weekly | $984.62 |
| Hourly | $24.62 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $59,770 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $53,680 | 450 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $50,710 | 50 |
| Reading, PA | $50,200 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,810 | 340 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,420 | 40 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Animal Control Worker | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Firefighter | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in Pennsylvania is $51,200 a year, or $24.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in Pennsylvania earn at least $91,470 a year. The top 25% earn $71,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,840 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Pennsylvania?
About 1,220 private detectives and investigators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.