Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in U.S. is $93,580/year ($44.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $159K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $94K get you in U.S.?
About detectives and criminal investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K.Top earners bring in $159K or more - a $105K 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 U.S. numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in U.S.?
The median is $93,580 a year - that works out to about $44.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,160, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $159,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,185/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 22.8% 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 U.S.?
U.S. 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 $93,580 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.