Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial
In Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO), the median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $54.49 an hour ($113,340 a year). About 1,230 people work in this job there.
That is 21% higher than the U.S. median ($93,790). It is 7% higher than the Colorado median ($105,480).
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $37.92 | $78,870 |
| 25% of workers | $48.96 | $101,830 |
| Half of workers (median) | $54.49 | $113,340 |
| 75% of workers | $57.43 | $119,450 |
| 90% of workers | $82.38 | $171,350 |
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Colorado metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial (this page) | $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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $101,970 |
| Compliance Officers | $83,580 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $88,090 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,250 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $71,680 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,660 |
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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.