Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
The median pay for a detectives and criminal investigators in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $106,540/year ($51.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $177K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 112.56), so that salary is closer to $94,652 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,910/month — about 44.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $107K get you in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by New York-Newark-Jersey City’s Regional Price Parity (112.56). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About detectives and criminal investigators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigators (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $107K. Top earners bring in $177K or more, a $115K 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 |
| Nevada | $96K | +2% | 580 |
| Connecticut | $95K | +2% | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $93K | -1% | 1,480 |
| Michigan | $93K | -1% | 2,050 |
| West Virginia | $91K | -3% | 210 |
| New Hampshire | $90K | -4% | 410 |
| Texas | $90K | -4% | 18,020 |
| Illinois | $90K | -4% | 3,100 |
| Rhode Island | $89K | -5% | 440 |
| Delaware | $88K | -6% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $87K | -7% | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $85K | -10% | 420 |
| Minnesota | $82K | -12% | 1,770 |
| Maine | $81K | -14% | 540 |
| Wyoming | $80K | -14% | 170 |
| Missouri | $79K | -16% | 1,440 |
| Florida | $78K | -16% | 6,310 |
| Ohio | $78K | -17% | 2,120 |
| Idaho | $77K | -17% | 520 |
| South Dakota | $77K | -17% | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $77K | -17% | 1,280 |
| Kentucky | $77K | -17% | 700 |
| Iowa | $77K | -17% | 380 |
| Indiana | $75K | -20% | 1,240 |
| Utah | $75K | -20% | 560 |
| Tennessee | $73K | -22% | 1,960 |
| Kansas | $68K | -27% | 1,070 |
| Alabama | $66K | -29% | 1,290 |
| Georgia | $65K | -31% | 4,820 |
| South Carolina | $63K | -33% | 1,330 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -33% | 3,240 |
| Louisiana | $60K | -36% | 1,870 |
| Mississippi | $56K | -40% | 810 |
| Arkansas | $53K | -43% | 560 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track detectives and criminal investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York-Newark-Jersey City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?
The median is $106,540 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,290, and experienced detectives and criminal investigators can clear $177,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $107K enough to live in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,499/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,910/month, which eats 44.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a detectives and criminal investigators salary go in New York-Newark-Jersey City?
New York-Newark-Jersey City has a Regional Price Parity of 112.56 (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 $94,652 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.