Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Canton-Massillon, OH
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area earn a median of $38,750 a year ($18.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,740 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 18% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $47,200. There are 0.34 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Canton-Massillon, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Median | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| 75th percentile | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| Average (mean) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
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 | $3,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,614.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,490.38 |
| Weekly | $745.19 |
| Hourly | $18.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Private Detectives and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $51,780 | 390 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $48,510 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,190 | 260 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,660 | 180 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,740 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $41,420 | 90 |
| Toledo, OH | $39,600 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Canton-Massillon, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,630 | $11.36 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,080 | $16.86 |
| Firefighter | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $64,340 | $30.93 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $83,670 | $40.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Bailiff | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,100 | $23.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Canton-Massillon, OH
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 Canton-Massillon, OH?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area is $38,750 a year, or $18.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Canton-Massillon, OH?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area earn at least $43,740 a year. The top 25% earn $41,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Canton-Massillon, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $38,750 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Canton-Massillon, OH?
About 60 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Canton-Massillon, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.