Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in Hawaii is $113,940/year ($54.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $93K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $103,422 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 31.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $114K get you in Hawaii?
About detectives and criminal investigators
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Hawaii sits well above the national pay line for detectives and criminal investigators, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $94K. Rent runs $2,240/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $93K. Mid-career wages sit at $114K. Top earners bring in $165K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in Hawaii
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $141K | +24% | 350 |
Compare to other states
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a detectives and criminal investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $114K, rent takes 33.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new detectives and criminal investigators typically earn — is $93K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,551/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 40% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is detectives and criminal investigator a high-paying job in Hawaii?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $114K here vs. $94K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 10% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for detectives and criminal investigators?
Hawaii pays $114K median vs. the U.S. average of $94K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $103K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Hawaii?
The median is $113,940 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $92,520, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $165,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $114K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,673/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 33.6% 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 Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $103,422 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.