Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Florida
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in Florida is $78,290/year ($37.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Florida?
About detectives and criminal investigators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $161K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in Florida
20 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $114K | +45% | 2,030 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $91K | +17% | 1,140 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | $78K | +0% | 130 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | $77K | -1% | 220 |
| Port St. Lucie | $76K | -3% | 100 |
| Punta Gorda | $76K | -3% | 40 |
| Jacksonville | $76K | -3% | 510 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | $72K | -8% | 80 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | $69K | -11% | 70 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $68K | -13% | 90 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $67K | -14% | 510 |
| Gainesville | $67K | -14% | 90 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | $67K | -15% | 40 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | $65K | -17% | 90 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $62K | -20% | 100 |
| Naples-Marco Island | $59K | -24% | 80 |
| Ocala | $59K | -25% | 50 |
| Tallahassee | $58K | -26% | 530 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | $56K | -29% | 50 |
| Sebring | $53K | -33% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 20 metros
Compare to other states
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Florida?
The median is $78,290 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,290, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $160,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,289/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 31.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $79,418 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do detectives and criminal investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.