Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $138,384 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $135,706 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $126,778 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $123,206 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $117,850 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $116,064 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $114,278 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $111,600 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $108,922 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $102,672 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $102,672 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $101,779 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $99,994 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $98,208 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $98,208 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $96,422 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $93,744 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $93,744 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $91,066 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $91,066 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $89,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $89,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $88,387 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $88,387 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $87,494 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $84,816 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $84,816 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $83,030 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $83,030 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $83,030 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $82,138 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $82,138 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $81,245 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $80,352 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $78,566 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $77,674 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $77,674 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $77,674 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $76,781 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $75,888 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $75,888 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $74,995 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $74,102 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $74,102 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $71,424 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $69,638 | -22.0% | Medium |
A Detective and Criminal Investigator's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Detective and Criminal Investigators typically earn $56,680–$74,280 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $113,880–$129,058 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Detective and Criminal Investigator role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Public Safety sector.
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What is the average salary for a Detective and Criminal Investigator?The average salary for a Detective and Criminal Investigator in the United States is $89,280 per year, with a median of $83,280.
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What is the starting salary for a Detective and Criminal Investigator?Entry-level Detective and Criminal Investigators typically earn between $56,680 and $74,280 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Detective and Criminal Investigators the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Detective and Criminal Investigator make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $89,280, a Detective and Criminal Investigator earns approximately $42.92 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Detective and Criminal Investigator a good career in 2026?Yes — the Detective and Criminal Investigator role has medium demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.