Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey is $116,300/year ($55.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $117,073 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Jersey. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $116K get you in New Jersey?
About detectives and criminal investigators
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What this looks like in New Jersey
New Jersey sits well above the national pay line for detectives and criminal investigators, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $94K. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $116K. Top earners bring in $166K or more, a $92K spread from bottom to top.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary by metro in New Jersey
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $111K | -5% | 370 |
| Vineland | $103K | -11% | 70 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $100K | -14% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a detectives and criminal investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $116K, rent takes 29.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new detectives and criminal investigators typically earn — is $73K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,386/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 Jersey?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $116K here vs. $94K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for detectives and criminal investigators?
New Jersey pays $116K median vs. the U.S. average of $94K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $117K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in New Jersey?
The median is $116,300 a year, that works out to about $56 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,100, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $165,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $116K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,077/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 29.2% 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 Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (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 $117,073 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.