Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $46.91 an hour ($97,580 a year). About 3,370 people work in this job there.
That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). Pennsylvania ranks 17th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Pennsylvania
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $30.66 | $63,770 |
| 25% of workers | $38.07 | $79,190 |
| Half of workers (median) | $46.91 | $97,580 |
| 75% of workers | $56.23 | $116,960 |
| 90% of workers | $74.21 | $154,360 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $97,580 | 2,160 |
| Lancaster | $97,190 | 60 |
| Erie | $96,470 | 100 |
| York-Hanover | $96,070 | 80 |
| Reading | $95,190 | 80 |
| Pittsburgh | $95,120 | 580 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $94,800 | 190 |
| State College | $90,250 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $81,500 | 140 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $80,770 | 300 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for detectives and criminal investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 7,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 |
| Compliance Officers | $85,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $67,370 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $78,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,600 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,200 |
| Bailiffs | $47,600 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.