Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $119,410 or more. The middle half of detectives and criminal investigators in State College earn between $77,380 and $102,410.
- $65K10th
- $77K25th
- $90KMedian
- $102K75th
- $119K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $92,510 | $7,709 | $44.48 |
| Median | $90,250 | $7,521 | $43.39 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $77,380 | $6,448 | $37.20 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $102,410 | $8,534 | $49.24 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Detectives and criminal investigators in State College earn 9% less than the Pennsylvania average ($101,760) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($99,430). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $93,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $92,510 | $90,250 | $65,160 | $119,410 | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,760 | $97,580 | $63,770 | $154,360 | 3,370 |
| United States | $99,430 | $93,790 | $55,390 | $160,540 | 114,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary after taxes in State College
On the average salary of $92,510, a single filer in State College takes home about $71,071 a year, or $5,923 a month and $2,733 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is State College a good place for detectives and criminal investigators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $92,510 buys what about $95,606 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 3.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 8th of 10 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($110,140).
- Philadelphia$110,140
- Allentown$105,870
- Pittsburgh$102,630
- York$102,580
- Erie$98,470
- Reading$94,520
- Lancaster$94,400
- State College$92,510
- Harrisburg$88,190
- Scranton$86,610
All Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries in Pennsylvania
Highest-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators
Brunswick, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,490).
- Brunswick, GA$148,490
- Washington, DC$146,910
- San Jose, CA$144,580
- Oxnard, CA$138,040
- San Francisco, CA$135,460
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Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in State College: questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make an hour in State College?
$44.48 an hour on average, and $43.39 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $77,380, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the detectives and criminal investigators take-home pay in State College?
About $71,071 a year ($5,923 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $92,510. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do detectives and criminal investigators earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($99,430).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-3021; area State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.95, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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