Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $102,950 +10% vs national
Median hourly $49.50
10th percentile $72,240
90th percentile $118,790
Employed locally 50
National median $93,580

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
State College, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,240
    25th
    $75,860
    50th (median)
    $102,950
    75th
    $105,520
    90th
    $118,790

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 142% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 42% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740
    Lancaster, PA $96,920
    Reading, PA $96,150

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$63,540
    Security Guards$38,350
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$84,510
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$37,070
    First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$93,270
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$111,160

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in State College, PA is $49.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.41 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in State College, PA is 10% 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 State College?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $72,240 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,860.