SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Ohio
Ohio · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio is $47,200 per year, close to the national median of $51,220 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio is $47,200 per year, close to the national median of $51,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $41,600 and $70,910. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,460 and the ninetieth at $84,930.
Employment stands at 1,560, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Ohio ranks number 33rd out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Columbus records the highest median at $51,780. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 553rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,460 | −26.9% |
| 25th | $41,600 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $47,200 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $70,910 | +38.4% |
| 90th | $84,930 | +65.8% |
| Mean | $56,980 | +11.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $51,780 | 390 | |
| 2 | Dayton | $48,510 | 70 | |
| 3 | Cincinnati | $46,190 | 260 | |
| 4 | Cleveland | $45,660 | 180 | |
| 5 | Youngstown | $43,740 | 40 | |
| 6 | Akron | $41,420 | 90 | |
| 7 | Toledo | $39,600 | 40 | |
| 8 | Canton | $38,750 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ohio run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $47,200 goes as far as $50,862 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,862US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,200 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,460 to $84,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,560 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 33rd of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbus, at $51,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Ohio?
The median annual wage is $47,200, or $22.69 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 $51,220, so pay in Ohio is 7.8% 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 Ohio earns more than $84,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,460 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 Columbus, at $51,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,560 jobs in this occupation in Ohio. 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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