Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Reading, PA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $50,200 a year ($24.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $51,200. There are 0.22 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,240 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $41,320 | $19.87 |
| Median | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| 75th percentile | $57,130 | $27.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Average (mean) | $51,150 | $24.59 |
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 | $4,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,091.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,930.77 |
| Weekly | $965.38 |
| Hourly | $24.13 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,050 | $13.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $87,060 | $41.85 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Firefighter | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,410 | $20.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Reading, PA metro area is $50,200 a year, or $24.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $67,500 a year. The top 25% earn $57,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,240 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $41,320 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Reading, PA?
About 40 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.