Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Private Detectives and Investigators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $49,810 a year ($23.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,790 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $51,220. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $51,200. There are 0.31 private detectives and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for private detectives and investigators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 25th percentile | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Median | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| 75th percentile | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Average (mean) | $53,540 | $25.74 |
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 | $4,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,075.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,915.77 |
| Weekly | $957.88 |
| Hourly | $23.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $59,770 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $53,680 | 450 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $50,710 | 50 |
| Reading, PA | $50,200 | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,420 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,850 | $17.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| Animal Control Worker | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,190 | $39.99 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| Firefighter | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,120 | $45.73 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for private detectives and investigators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $49,810 a year, or $23.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid private detectives and investigators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of private detectives and investigators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $75,790 a year. The top 25% earn $57,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for private detectives and investigators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,800 a year, and a quarter of private detectives and investigators earn $44,430 or less.
How many private detectives and investigators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 340 private detectives and investigators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.