Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Scranton, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

Median annual salary $81,480 -12.9% vs national
Median hourly $39.17
10th percentile $58,950
90th percentile $133,560
Employed locally 130
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
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Scranton, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,950
    25th
    $73,540
    50th (median)
    $81,480
    75th
    $107,870
    90th
    $133,560

    Scranton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,656 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 128% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 28% 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 Scranton, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,040
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $74,070
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $66,460
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $34,580
    Firefighters $55,780
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $88,900

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Scranton, PA is $39.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.14 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Scranton, PA is 12.9% 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 Scranton?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $58,950 per year in Scranton, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $73,540.