Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Pennsylvania
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $97,580 a year ($46.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pennsylvania ranks 17th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.56 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $101,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 25th percentile | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Median | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| 75th percentile | $116,960 | $56.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,360 | $74.21 |
| Average (mean) | $101,760 | $48.93 |
Half of detectives and criminal 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 | $8,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,065.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,753.08 |
| Weekly | $1,876.54 |
| Hourly | $46.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $97,580 | 2,160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $97,190 | 60 |
| Erie, PA | $96,470 | 100 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $96,070 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $95,190 | 80 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $95,120 | 580 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $94,800 | 190 |
| State College, PA | $90,250 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $81,500 | 140 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $80,770 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| Bailiff | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Firefighter | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,600 | $45.48 |
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 33-3021. 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 detectives and criminal investigators make in Pennsylvania?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Pennsylvania is $97,580 a year, or $46.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Pennsylvania earn at least $154,360 a year. The top 25% earn $116,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,770 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $79,190 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Pennsylvania?
About 3,370 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.