Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the median pay for private detectives and investigators is $24.62 an hour ($51,200 a year). About 1,220 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($51,220). Pennsylvania ranks 23rd of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Pennsylvania
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.45 | $38,380 |
| 25% of workers | $21.56 | $44,840 |
| Half of workers (median) | $24.62 | $51,200 |
| 75% of workers | $34.53 | $71,830 |
| 90% of workers | $43.98 | $91,470 |
Private Detectives and Investigators pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $59,770 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $53,680 | 450 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $50,710 | 50 |
| Reading | $50,200 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh | $49,810 | 340 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $43,420 | 40 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | $157,180 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 |
| Compliance Officers | $85,580 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $63,370 |
| Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs | $59,070 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $78,610 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.