SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — State College
State College, PA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in State College, PA is $90,250 per year, close to the national median of $93,790 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in State College, PA is $90,250 per year, close to the national median of $93,790 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $65,160 at the tenth percentile to more than $119,410 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $77,380 to $102,410.
Employment stands at 50, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $97,580. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 42nd of 237 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $65,160 | −30.5% |
| 25th | $77,380 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $90,250 | −3.8% |
| 75th | $102,410 | +9.2% |
| 90th | $119,410 | +27.3% |
| Mean | $92,510 | −1.4% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $97,580 | 2,160 | |
| 2 | Lancaster | $97,190 | 60 | |
| 3 | Erie | $96,470 | 100 | |
| 4 | York | $96,070 | 80 | |
| 5 | Reading | $95,190 | 80 | |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $95,120 | 580 | |
| 7 | Allentown | $94,800 | 190 | |
| 8 | Scranton | $81,500 | 140 | |
| 9 | Harrisburg | $80,770 | 300 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in State College run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $90,250 goes as far as $92,469 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$90,250as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$92,469US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $90,250 a year, 3.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $65,160 to $119,410 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $97,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in State College, PA?
The median annual wage is $90,250, or $43.39 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,790, so pay in State College, PA is 3.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in State College, PA earns more than $119,410 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $65,160 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Philadelphia, at $97,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in State College, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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