Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Median annual salary $85,430 -8.7% vs national
Median hourly $41.07
10th percentile $65,020
90th percentile $160,370
Employed locally 530
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Pittsburgh, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,020
    25th
    $75,860
    50th (median)
    $85,430
    75th
    $112,380
    90th
    $160,370

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 116% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 16% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740
    Lancaster, PA $96,920

    Related occupations in Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,210
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $82,270
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $36,980
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $61,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $101,930
    Firefighters $71,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Pittsburgh, PA is $41.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.39 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 8.7% below 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 Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $65,020 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,860.