There’s plenty of PIs in Pennsylvania – 1,240, as of 2023, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. But with the rising demand for investigative services to look into fraudulent employment insurance and L&I injury claims, unsolved crimes, and the bread and butter marital infidelity cases so many PIs specialize in, there are more cases to work in the Keystone State than PIs available to take them.
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That means whether you go independent as a hired gun for attorneys and the general public, or lend your talents to a state government agency or insurance company on a contract basis, you’re going to make hey– provided you have the qualifications to get your career up and running, and the grit to stick with it. Now that you know the drill, let’s get to know more about how to become a private investigator in Pennsylvania.
 | Meet Pennsylvania Requirements to Obtain a License |
 | Obtain the Necessary Education and Training in Pennsylvania |
 | Submit your Pennsylvania Application |
 | Start Work as a Private Investigator in Pennsylvania |
Step 1. Meet Pennsylvania Requirements to Obtain a License
You must meet the following requirements to become a private investigator in Pennsylvania:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be at least 25 years old
- Have three years of experience as a
- Detective agency employee
- Law enforcement agent (with a rank higher than a patrolman)
- Not have been convicted of any of the following:
- Felony
- Illegally using, carrying, or possessing a dangerous weapon
- Making or possessing instruments for burglary
- Unlawfully entering a building
- Aiding a prison escape
- Unlawfully distributing or possessing habit-forming narcotic drugs
- Picking pockets (or trying to do so)
- Recklessly endangering another person
- Committing simple assault
- Soliciting a person to commit sodomy or other lewdness
- Making threats of terrorism
Step 2. Obtain the Necessary Education and Training in Pennsylvania
Although the state of Pennsylvania does not have any requirement for education, obtaining formal training in criminal justice will make you a more desirable candidate as you look to fulfill your requirement to work for a detective agency for three years.
In addition, you will need strong analytical skills to work as a private investigator. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is one way to obtain such skills. You can obtain this training from schools located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and a number of other cities in Pennsylvania. Another option is to enroll in one of the online schools that offer training in this area.
Step 3. Submit Your Pennsylvania Application
Once you have met the requirements to become a private investigator, you should contact your Clerk of Courts to find out exactly how to submit your application and the amount of your county’s filing fee. The state requires that you submit the following with your application:
- Fingerprint cards
- The signatures of five character references who have known you for at least 5 years
- Passport size photographs (2)
- Surety bond for $10,000
- License fee of $200 for an individual
In most counties, the District Attorney will issue your license after a wait of at least 10 days from the filing date.
Step 4. Start Work as a Private Investigator in Pennsylvania
Once you have obtained your license, the state requires that you post it conspicuously at your place of business. Also, your county will send you a pocket license card. You can work as a private investigator for two years before you need to renew your license.
You may wish to join the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators that provides valuable information and networking opportunities within the state. There are a number of sources for jobs as PIs in this state, including attorneys, insurance companies, and individuals.
Private Investigator Salary Information for Pennsylvania*
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2023, private investigators in Pennsylvania earn an annual average salary of $60,550. And if your investigative skills, eye for detail, and nose for the truth secure you a solid client list and plenty of referrals, you’ll likely end up among the top 10% of these pros with a salary that starts at $91,520.
Like most states, Pennsylvania requires a license to work as a private investigator. But work as a PI here and you’ll need to earn a license at the county level. You’ll also need to be at least 25 and have at least three years of employment experience as an employee of a detective agency or as a law enforcement professional at a rank higher than a patrol officer.
Private Investigator Salaries in Allentown, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton
The BLS reports the following salary ranges (median to top 10%) for metro areas across PA:
- Allentown: $48,230 – $87,120, and home to 70 PIs
- Harrisburg: $51,180 – $91,520, and home to 90 PIs
- Philadelphia: $48,300 – $99,990, and home to 660 PIs
- Pittsburgh: $47,820 – $91,930, and home to 320 PIs
- Reading: $47,740 – $82,180, and home to 30 PIs
- Scranton: $42,400 – $78,900, and home to 30 PIs
Harrisburg is the only city offering a median PI salary that’s above $50k. While no city in PA offers a top 10% salary in the six-figure range, Philly comes within a hair’s width at $99,990. Pittsburgh and Harrisburg are the only cities with a top 10% salary that exceeds $90k.
May 2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics Salary and Job Market Figures for Private Detectives and Investigators reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2024.