Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$73,010
- 25th Percentile — Junior$86,290
- 50th Percentile — Median$105,480
- 75th Percentile — Senior$115,130
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$161,550
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Colorado earn more than $105,480. The top 10% make $161,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $73,010.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 12th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $109,010 per year (9.6% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 1,930 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Colorado — 1.7% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.91: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,010; the top 10% earn over $161,550.
- Hourly equivalent: $52.41 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Colorado, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($124,850).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $109,010 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $109,010 is roughly equivalent to $99,100 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($118,040), Delaware ($117,730), New Jersey ($116,540) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $124,850/yr Colorado +14.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $105,920/yr Colorado 2.8% vs this role
- Police Officers $90,550/yr Colorado 16.9% vs this role
- Firefighters $78,380/yr Colorado 28.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $66,360/yr Colorado 39.1% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $58,910/yr Colorado 46.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $45,870/yr Colorado 57.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Colorado?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Colorado is $109,010 per year (median $105,480), which is 9.6% above the national average of $99,430.
How does Colorado rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Colorado ranks 12th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Colorado earn about $73,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $86,290.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Colorado?
About $52.41 per hour, based on the $109,010 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Colorado?
BLS counts 1,930 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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