Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Colorado
In Colorado, the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $50.71 an hour ($105,480 a year). About 1,930 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). Colorado ranks 13th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Colorado
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $35.10 | $73,010 |
| 25% of workers | $41.49 | $86,290 |
| Half of workers (median) | $50.71 | $105,480 |
| 75% of workers | $55.35 | $115,130 |
| 90% of workers | $77.67 | $161,550 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Colorado metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $113,340 | 1,230 |
| Grand Junction | $106,270 | 70 |
| Pueblo | $106,000 | 30 |
| Boulder | $103,360 | 50 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $103,140 | 60 |
| Greeley | $98,370 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs | $85,750 | 230 |
Colorado unemployment rate: 4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Colorado
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 |
| Compliance Officers | $82,450 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $87,430 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $71,680 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $81,460 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,730 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $84,010 |
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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.