Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Erie, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Erie, PA

Median annual salary $105,020 +12.2% vs national
Median hourly $50.49
10th percentile $62,340
90th percentile $113,910
Employed locally 100
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Erie, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,340
    25th
    $84,640
    50th (median)
    $105,020
    75th
    $110,010
    90th
    $113,910

    Erie economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $61,476 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 171% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 71% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $113,800
    El Paso, TX $107,240
    State College, PA $102,950
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740
    Lancaster, PA $96,920
    Reading, PA $96,150

    Related occupations in Erie, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,700
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $94,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $57,510
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,870
    Firefighters $64,990
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $112,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Erie?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Erie, PA is $50.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.39 or more per hour.

    Is Erie above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Erie, PA is 12.2% above the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Erie?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $62,340 per year in Erie, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $84,640.