Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Cleveland, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cleveland, OH

Median annual salary $57,030 +8.9% vs national
Median hourly $27.42
10th percentile $36,230
90th percentile $72,870
Employed locally 270
National median $52,370

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Cleveland, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,230
    25th
    $43,310
    50th (median)
    $57,030
    75th
    $69,640
    90th
    $72,870

    Cleveland economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,507 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 83% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 17% 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
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $56,660
    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 Cleveland, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,080
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $81,730
    Firefighters $62,460
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $63,900
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $101,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Cleveland, OH is $27.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.08 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Cleveland, OH is 8.9% 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 Cleveland?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $36,230 per year in Cleveland, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,310.