Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Allentown, PA-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Median annual salary $51,220 -2.2% vs national
Median hourly $24.63
10th percentile $37,630
90th percentile $88,360
Employed locally 50
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Allentown, PA-NJ stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Allentown, PA-NJ
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,630
    25th
    $44,510
    50th (median)
    $51,220
    75th
    $57,750
    90th
    $88,360

    Allentown economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 62% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Private Detectives and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Salem, OR $79,550
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $79,110
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $77,680
    Oregon $77,320
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730

    Nearby metros — Private Detectives and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $80,060
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $76,730
    Reading, PA $51,960
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $51,850
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $51,610
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,860

    Related occupations in Allentown, PA-NJ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,210
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $86,060
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $36,790
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $108,390
    Firefighters $80,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Private Detectives and Investigators make per hour in Allentown?

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Allentown, PA-NJ is $24.63, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.25 or more per hour.

    Is Allentown above or below average for Private Detectives and Investigators salaries?

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Allentown, PA-NJ is 2.2% below the national median of $52,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Private Detectives and Investigators in Allentown?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $37,630 per year in Allentown, PA-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,510.