Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 33-3021As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for detectives and criminal investigators in the United States is $93,790 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 114,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,390 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $69,330 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $93,790 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $120,520 | Experienced |
| 90th | $160,540 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 | $148,110 | 3,000 |
| Maryland | $126,730 | $130,040 | 1,000 |
| California | $124,840 | $121,530 | 13,000 |
| Delaware | $122,050 | $117,730 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 | $116,540 | 3,000 |
| Washington | $115,790 | $118,040 | 2,000 |
| Alaska | $114,940 | $125,160 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 | $124,610 | 440 |
| Virginia | $112,760 | $119,620 | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 | $118,130 | 1,000 |
| Oregon | $107,450 | $113,430 | 520 |
| Vermont | $106,330 | $104,220 | 190 |
| Colorado | $105,480 | $109,010 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $102,340 | $100,000 | 5,000 |
| New York | $101,240 | $105,880 | 10,000 |
| Nebraska | $100,530 | $103,850 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,580 | $101,760 | 3,000 |
| Connecticut | $95,240 | $101,890 | 940 |
| Nevada | $94,470 | $101,950 | 590 |
| Montana | $92,410 | $93,800 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $92,410 | $102,070 | 220 |
| Illinois | $91,190 | $97,480 | 3,000 |
| Wisconsin | $91,040 | $90,620 | 2,000 |
| Michigan | $90,650 | $103,190 | 2,000 |
| Texas | $90,510 | $92,030 | 19,000 |
| New Hampshire | $89,290 | $104,670 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $88,450 | $98,430 | 360 |
| Maine | $88,310 | $92,920 | 550 |
| New Mexico | $86,840 | $84,880 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $82,290 | $88,310 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $81,880 | $91,890 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $80,430 | $86,620 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $80,000 | $87,860 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $79,560 | $87,110 | 410 |
| Ohio | $79,300 | $90,600 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $78,920 | $89,940 | 550 |
| South Dakota | $77,730 | $91,060 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $77,090 | $87,790 | 2,000 |
| Florida | $77,060 | $93,020 | 6,000 |
| Kansas | $75,740 | $78,750 | 1,000 |
| Missouri | $75,650 | $85,720 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $72,520 | $81,570 | 630 |
| Kentucky | $71,670 | $86,900 | 720 |
| Puerto Rico | $70,760 | $86,120 | 620 |
| Indiana | $70,340 | $77,610 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $66,290 | $79,070 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $65,430 | $78,140 | 5,000 |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $76,020 | 3,000 |
| South Carolina | $62,760 | $77,020 | 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $60,450 | $71,160 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $58,640 | $71,020 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $54,500 | $68,840 | 560 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a detectives and criminal investigators in the US?
The US national median wage for detectives and criminal investigators is $93,790 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in the US?
Pay ranges from $55,390 at the 10th percentile to $160,540 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay detectives and criminal investigators the most?
The highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators include District of Columbia ($160,760), Maryland ($126,730), California ($124,840). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does detectives and criminal investigators salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($160,760) pays roughly 195% more than Arkansas ($54,500). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02