How much does a detective and criminal investigator make?
The median detective and criminal investigator in the United States earns $93,790 per year, about $45.09 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all detectives and criminal investigators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-3021.
Detective and criminal investigator salary range
Pay for detectives and criminal investigators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $55,390 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $160,540. The average (mean) wage of $99,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,390 | $26.63 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $69,330 | $33.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $93,790 | $45.09 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $120,520 | $57.94 | |
| 90th percentile | $160,540 | $77.18 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Detective and criminal investigator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Detectives and criminal investigators earn the most in District of Columbia at $160,760 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $54,500. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Oregon | $107,450 | 520 |
| Vermont | $106,330 | 190 |
| Colorado | $105,480 | 1,930 |
| Arizona | $102,340 | 5,250 |
| New York | $101,240 | 9,600 |
| Nebraska | $100,530 | 290 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,580 | 3,370 |
| Connecticut | $95,240 | 940 |
| Nevada | $94,470 | 590 |
| Montana | $92,410 | 500 |
| West Virginia | $92,410 | 220 |
| Illinois | $91,190 | 3,270 |
| Wisconsin | $91,040 | 1,640 |
| Michigan | $90,650 | 2,220 |
| Texas | $90,510 | 18,870 |
| New Hampshire | $89,290 | 290 |
| Rhode Island | $88,450 | 360 |
| Maine | $88,310 | 550 |
| New Mexico | $86,840 | 2,020 |
| North Dakota | $82,290 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $81,880 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $80,430 | 1,220 |
| Minnesota | $80,000 | 1,970 |
| Iowa | $79,560 | 410 |
| Ohio | $79,300 | 2,140 |
| Utah | $78,920 | 550 |
| South Dakota | $77,730 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $77,090 | 1,860 |
| Florida | $77,060 | 6,440 |
| Kansas | $75,740 | 1,060 |
| Missouri | $75,650 | 1,600 |
| Idaho | $72,520 | 630 |
| Kentucky | $71,670 | 720 |
| Indiana | $70,340 | 1,280 |
| Alabama | $66,290 | 1,340 |
| Georgia | $65,430 | 5,070 |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | 3,360 |
| South Carolina | $62,760 | 1,470 |
| Louisiana | $60,450 | 1,740 |
| Mississippi | $58,640 | 810 |
| Arkansas | $54,500 | 560 |
State median wages for detectives and criminal investigators (SOC 33-3021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for detectives and criminal investigators
The BLS projects employment of detectives and criminal investigators to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 120,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 120,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,800 openings a year for detectives and criminal investigators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a detective and criminal investigator
The typical entry-level education for detectives and criminal investigators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a detective and criminal investigator earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $160,760) and the lowest (Arkansas, $54,500) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 114,430 people work as detectives and criminal investigators in the United States. At $93,790 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Detective and criminal investigator salary FAQ
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a detective and criminal investigator is $45.09. The middle half of detectives and criminal investigators earn between $33.33 and $57.94 per hour.
What is the highest detective and criminal investigator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than $160,540 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make a year?
The median annual salary for a detective and criminal investigator is $93,790. The average (mean) wage of $99,430 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a detective and criminal investigator a well paid job?
At $93,790 a year, a detective and criminal investigator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 114,430 people work as detectives and criminal investigators in the United States.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for detectives and criminal investigators at $160,760 a year. Maryland ($126,730) and California ($124,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a detective and criminal investigator a good career?
Employment of detectives and criminal investigators is projected to hold roughly steady 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a detective and criminal investigator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for detectives and criminal investigators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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