📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey · 28.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$114,278
per year
Median
$106,598
per year
Hourly
$54.94
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$72,550
25th Percentile — Junior$95,078
50th Percentile — Median$106,598
75th Percentile — Senior$145,766
90th Percentile — Top Earners$165,193
💡 Top-earning Detective and Criminal Investigators in New Jersey make up to $165,193 per year. The job market in New Jersey is rated strong, with key industries including Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$101.0k
2021
$103.5k
2022
$106.1k
2023
$108.8k
2024
$111.5k
2025
$114.3k
2026
📈 Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries in New Jersey have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in New Jersey's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary by City in New Jersey
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Newark $139,419 +22.0% Medium
🔍
Detective and Criminal Investigator Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey is home to a strong job market for Detective and Criminal Investigators. The state's key industries — Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $114,278 per year, New Jersey's Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New Jersey (index: 1.28) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New Jersey can expect to earn $72,550–$95,078, while experienced Detective and Criminal Investigators can command $145,766–$165,193.

Looking ahead, the Detective and Criminal Investigator profession in New Jersey is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Pharmaceuticals continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in New Jersey is $114,278 per year in 2026, which is 28.0% above the national average of $89,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest wages in New Jersey due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New Jersey has a strong job market with major industries in Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Detective and Criminal Investigator employment.
  • At $114,278/year, New Jersey Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average of $89,280/year.