Home / Compare / Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs. Security Guards Salary comparison Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs. Security Guards: Salary Comparison (2026) Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss earn a median salary of $93,580/year, while Security Guardss earn $38,370/year - a difference of $55,210. Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Security Guards
Median salary
$93,580
$38,370
Hourly rate
$44.99/hr
$18.45/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$54,160
$29,800
Senior level (90th %)
$159,410
$59,580
Education required
Varies
Varies
U.S. employment
110,790
1,241,770
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), BEA Regional Price Parities & HUD Fair Market Rents.
Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Fair Market Rents). AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."
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