Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Harrisburg, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Median annual salary $51,850 -1% vs national
Median hourly $24.93
10th percentile $41,090
90th percentile $90,890
Employed locally 100
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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Private Detectives and Investigators
in
Harrisburg, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,090
    25th
    $45,290
    50th (median)
    $51,850
    75th
    $62,960
    90th
    $90,890

    Harrisburg economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,281 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 65% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 35% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $51,610
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $51,220
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,860

    Related occupations in Harrisburg, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,380
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $85,320
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $61,530
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $36,820
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $121,950

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Harrisburg, PA is $24.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.06 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Harrisburg, PA is 1% 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 Harrisburg?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $41,090 per year in Harrisburg, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,290.