Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Median annual salary $56,660 +8.2% vs national
Median hourly $27.24
10th percentile $36,420
90th percentile $96,570
Employed locally 250
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,420
    25th
    $42,520
    50th (median)
    $56,660
    75th
    $73,130
    90th
    $96,570

    Cincinnati economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,490 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 71% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 29% 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
    Cleveland, OH $57,030
    Akron, OH $53,190
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $51,110
    Ohio $50,060
    West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area $47,790
    Columbus, OH $46,810

    Related occupations in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$36,630
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$80,410
    Firefighters$54,130
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,940
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$84,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $27.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is 8.2% above 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 Cincinnati?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,420 per year in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,520.