Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Las Cruces, NM
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in Las Cruces, NM is $104,330/year ($50.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.21), which stretches that salary to about $115,652 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,042/month, or 15.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $104K get you in Las Cruces?
About detectives and criminal investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Las Cruces, NM
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K.Top earners bring in $107K or more - a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $126K | +34% | 960 |
| California | $122K | +31% | 11,900 |
| Alaska | $121K | +29% | 130 |
| Washington | $116K | +24% | 1,680 |
| New Jersey | $114K | +22% | 3,000 |
| Hawaii | $112K | +20% | 440 |
| Massachusetts | $111K | +19% | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $110K | +18% | 3,170 |
| Oregon | $107K | +15% | 470 |
| Vermont | $104K | +11% | 210 |
| New York | $103K | +10% | 9,410 |
| Arizona | $103K | +10% | 5,220 |
| Nebraska | $99K | +6% | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $99K | +6% | 3,390 |
| Montana | $96K | +2% | 470 |
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Las Cruces numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Las Cruces, NM?
The median is $104,330 a year - that works out to about $50.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,120, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $107,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Las Cruces?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,472/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,042/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 16.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in Las Cruces?
Las Cruces has a Regional Price Parity of 90.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median detectives and criminal investigators salary is worth about $115,652 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.