Private Detectives and Investigators Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $51,610 -1.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.81
10th percentile $40,000
90th percentile $106,200
Employed locally 680
National median $52,370

Compare Private Detectives and Investigators salary & buying power

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

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Private Detectives and Investigators
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,000
    25th
    $45,710
    50th (median)
    $51,610
    75th
    $70,600
    90th
    $106,200

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Private Detectives and Investigators salary vs area income 58% Median Private Detectives and Investigators salary is 42% 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
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $51,220
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $50,860

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$38,590
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$90,640
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$64,520
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$37,840
    Firefighters$78,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$120,960

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $24.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.30 or more per hour.

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

    The median Private Detectives and Investigators salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 1.5% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Private Detectives and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $40,000 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,710.