The average salary for a detectives and criminal investigator in the United States is $95,930, but the range typically falls between $64,830 and $116,170. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $46.12, with a range between $31.17 and $55.85.
There are approximately 106,730 people employed as a detectives and criminal investigator in the United States. With Texas, California, New York employing the highest number of detectives and criminal investigators.The state with the best pay for a detectives and criminal investigator is Maryland, with an average annual salary of $119,900, while Arkansas has the lowest average annual salary of $63,040.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Median | $91,100 | $43.8 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,170 | $55.85 |
| 90th Percentile | $154,360 | $74.21 |
The salary of a detectives and criminal investigator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a detectives and criminal investigator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for detectives and criminal investigators are Maryland, Alaska, California, Hawaii, New York while the worst states are Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $40,320 | $76,990 | $144,870 |
| Alaska | $73,800 | $121,770 | $171,790 |
| Arizona | $59,010 | $94,190 | $133,450 |
| Arkansas | $39,250 | $63,040 | $135,430 |
| California | $74,130 | $115,910 | $162,490 |
| Colorado | $64,000 | $99,780 | $147,740 |
| Connecticut | $74,320 | $100,530 | $148,680 |
| Delaware | $59,370 | $101,440 | $166,610 |
| Florida | $45,800 | $88,610 | $155,940 |
| Georgia | $39,950 | $71,610 | $139,530 |
| Hawaii | $89,840 | $121,000 | $153,650 |
| Idaho | $56,210 | $83,270 | $135,430 |
| Illinois | $56,890 | $95,820 | $155,440 |
| Indiana | $48,530 | $74,780 | $135,430 |
| Iowa | $54,890 | $84,090 | $137,400 |
| Kansas | $43,930 | $70,570 | $103,330 |
| Kentucky | $40,300 | $78,850 | $147,740 |
| Louisiana | $40,670 | $73,680 | $139,530 |
| Maine | $57,970 | $87,010 | $121,120 |
| Maryland | $64,930 | $119,900 | $177,340 |
| Massachusetts | $66,880 | $112,480 | $170,810 |
| Michigan | $66,750 | $99,450 | $158,270 |
| Minnesota | $55,310 | $85,390 | $114,080 |
| Mississippi | $36,140 | $64,580 | $127,210 |
| Missouri | $44,780 | $80,910 | $142,650 |
| Montana | $60,850 | $91,590 | $134,600 |
| Nebraska | $63,790 | $93,840 | $144,890 |
| Nevada | $54,860 | $95,380 | $143,620 |
| New Hampshire | $57,700 | $88,460 | $152,340 |
| New Jersey | $64,960 | $107,910 | $158,270 |
| New Mexico | $49,750 | $82,700 | $104,920 |
| New York | $65,500 | $118,350 | $178,000 |
| North Carolina | $47,950 | $71,870 | $127,210 |
| North Dakota | $50,400 | $82,240 | $123,120 |
| Ohio | $54,250 | $88,170 | $145,750 |
| Oklahoma | $47,390 | $82,610 | $127,210 |
| Oregon | $74,110 | $106,320 | $158,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,230 | $98,160 | $148,410 |
| Rhode Island | $73,940 | $96,290 | $151,400 |
| South Carolina | $47,350 | $73,600 | $143,620 |
| South Dakota | $56,010 | $84,000 | $135,430 |
| Tennessee | $44,830 | $76,680 | $139,530 |
| Texas | $47,530 | $88,300 | $136,120 |
| Utah | $47,720 | $87,620 | $147,740 |
| Vermont | $67,160 | $99,200 | $147,740 |
| Virginia | $54,510 | $106,850 | $177,340 |
| Washington | $76,400 | $114,450 | $159,740 |
| West Virginia | $41,640 | $92,110 | $158,680 |
| Wisconsin | $65,310 | $88,660 | $106,940 |
| Wyoming | $57,620 | $84,910 | $139,530 |
Even between cities, the salary of a detectives and criminal investigator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for detectives and criminal investigators is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $140,760.The city with the lowest average salary for detectives and criminal investigators is North Missouri nonmetropolitan area, MO with an average salary of $43,230.
Areas with highest average salaries for detectives and criminal investigators
Areas with lowest average salaries for detectives and criminal investigators
The number of detectives and criminal investigators in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of detectives and criminal investigators has increased by 750. On average, the number of detectives and criminal investigators has been increasing by 0.2% each year. The salary of detectives and criminal investigators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of detectives and criminal investigators has increased by $6,630. On average, the salary of detectives and criminal investigators has been increasing by 1.9% each year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators are part of the protective service occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for detectives and criminal investigators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all protective service occupations jobs here.
$61,090 per year
$58,460 per year
$106,000 per year
$82,510 per year
$60,390 per year
$76,840 per year
