Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $98,740 +5.5% vs national
Median hourly $47.47
10th percentile $70,850
90th percentile $161,200
Employed locally 2,100
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
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Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,850
    25th
    $98,740
    50th (median)
    $98,740
    75th
    $131,960
    90th
    $161,200

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 111% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 11% 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
    Erie, PA $105,020
    State College, PA $102,950
    Lancaster, PA $96,920
    Reading, PA $96,150

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,590
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $90,640
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $64,520
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $37,840
    Firefighters $78,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $120,960

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $47.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.76 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 5.5% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $70,850 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $98,740.