Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in New Hampshire is $89,290/year ($42.93/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.66), so that salary is closer to $84,507 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,528/month, or 25.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Hampshire. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in New Hampshire?
About detectives and criminal investigators
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What this looks like in New Hampshire
Detectives and criminal investigators pay in New Hampshire tracks closely to the national median, $89K locally vs. $94K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,528/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 105.66), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Hampshire
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $99K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in New Hampshire
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua | $102K | +14% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Hampshire numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a detectives and criminal investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Hampshire?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 25.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,528/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for detectives and criminal investigators in New Hampshire?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new detectives and criminal investigators typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,481/month. At HUD’s $1,528/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 New Hampshire?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $89K locally vs. $94K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does New Hampshire compare to the national average for detectives and criminal investigators?
New Hampshire pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $94K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 105.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — below the national median.
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in New Hampshire?
The median is $89,290 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,690, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $174,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in New Hampshire?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,933/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,528/month, which eats 25.8% 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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has a Regional Price Parity of 105.66 (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 $84,507 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.