Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $45.09 an hour ($93,790 a year). About 114,430 people work in this job there.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $26.63 | $55,390 |
| 25% of workers | $33.33 | $69,330 |
| Half of workers (median) | $45.09 | $93,790 |
| 75% of workers | $57.94 | $120,520 |
| 90% of workers | $77.18 | $160,540 |
Best-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 | 2,980 |
| Maryland | $126,730 | 1,010 |
| California | $124,840 | 12,610 |
| Delaware | $122,050 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 | 3,080 |
| Washington | $115,790 | 1,850 |
| Alaska | $114,940 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 | 440 |
| Virginia | $112,760 | 3,180 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 | 1,300 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $66,290
- Arizona · $102,340
- Arkansas · $54,500
- California · $124,840
- Colorado · $105,480
- Connecticut · $95,240
- District of Columbia · $160,760
- Florida · $77,060
- Georgia · $65,430
- Idaho · $72,520
- Illinois · $91,190
- Indiana · $70,340
- Kansas · $75,740
- Kentucky · $71,670
- Louisiana · $60,450
- Maine · $88,310
- Maryland · $126,730
- Massachusetts · $110,150
- Michigan · $90,650
- Minnesota · $80,000
- Mississippi · $58,640
- Missouri · $75,650
- Montana · $92,410
- Nevada · $94,470
- New Jersey · $116,300
- New Mexico · $86,840
- New York · $101,240
- North Carolina · $63,280
- Ohio · $79,300
- Oklahoma · $80,430
- Oregon · $107,450
- Pennsylvania · $97,580
- South Carolina · $62,760
- Tennessee · $77,090
- Texas · $90,510
- Utah · $78,920
- Virginia · $112,760
- Washington · $115,790
- Wisconsin · $91,040
Education, experience and outlook for detectives and criminal investigators
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 7,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,210 |
| Compliance Officers | $80,730 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,040 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,100 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,270 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,970 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,220 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $72,060 |
Other job titles for this job
Open detectives and criminal investigators jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring detectives and criminal investigators? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.