Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 33-3021$93,790
US median (annual)
$99,430
US mean (annual)
$55,390
10th percentile
$160,540
90th percentile
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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. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
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 |
Career Essentials
AMAZON
Detectives and Criminal Investigators interview questions
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →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 |
Salary data is sourced from BLS OES May 2025. Figures represent gross pay before tax. This page is for reference only.
Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18