Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Reading, PA

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

Median annual salary $96,150 +2.7% vs national
Median hourly $46.22
10th percentile $91,210
90th percentile $115,850
Employed locally 80
National median $93,580

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Reading, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $91,210
    25th
    $91,570
    50th (median)
    $96,150
    75th
    $100,970
    90th
    $115,850

    Reading economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 124% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 24% 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 Reading, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,790
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $87,930
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $69,400
    Firefighters $61,660
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,430
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $108,050

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Reading, PA is $46.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Reading, PA is 2.7% 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 Reading?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $91,210 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $91,570.