Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Ohio
In Ohio, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $22.69 an hour ($47,200 a year). About 1,560 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($51,220). Ohio ranks 33rd of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Ohio
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.01 | $37,460 |
| 25% of workers | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.69 | $47,200 |
| 75% of workers | $34.09 | $70,910 |
| 90% of workers | $40.83 | $84,930 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Ohio metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $51,780 | 390 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $48,510 | 70 |
| Cincinnati | $46,190 | 260 |
| Cleveland | $45,660 | 180 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $43,740 | 40 |
| Akron | $41,420 | 90 |
| Toledo | $39,600 | 40 |
| Canton-Massillon | $38,750 | 60 |
Ohio unemployment rate: 3.3% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for private detectives and investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 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: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 3,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,020 |
| Lawyers | $131,020 |
| Compliance Officers | $75,030 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,380 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $50,070 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $90,060 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,300 |
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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.