In an optical receiver having a pre-amplifier for converting a current signal outputted from an optical detector to a voltage signal, a signal level detecting device is provided to provide an LOS (loss of signal) signal and a reset signal from the output of the pre-amplifier. The signal level detecting device comprising: a capacitor for receiving the output from the pre-amplifier; first and second transistors each consisting of an emitter and a collector connected to the output of the pre-amplifier and a base connected to the collector; a third transistor having a collector connected to the collector of the first transistor and an emitter connected to the collector of the second transistor; and, a common emitter circuit with a pair of resistors connected, respectively, to the emitter and collector of the third transistor and capable of detecting the level of a signal inputted from the collector of the third transistor.