Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in New Jersey
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey is $113,830/year ($54.73/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $114K get you in New Jersey?
About detectives and criminal investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $114K.Top earners bring in $171K or more - a $100K 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 New Jersey numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in New Jersey?
The median is $113,830 a year - that works out to about $54.73 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,850, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $170,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $114K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,945/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,792/month (median of metro areas), 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 Jersey?
New Jersey 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 $113,830 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.