Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,640
- 25th Percentile — Junior$61,330
- 50th Percentile — Median$71,670
- 75th Percentile — Senior$96,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$149,280
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky earn more than $71,670. The top 10% make $149,280 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,640.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 38th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $86,900 per year (12.6% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 720 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky — 0.6% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.49: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,640; the top 10% earn over $149,280.
- Hourly equivalent: $41.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Kentucky, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($88,030).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $86,900 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $86,900 is roughly equivalent to $104,699 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($88,310), Minnesota ($87,860), Tennessee ($87,790) 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 Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $88,030/yr Kentucky +1.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $67,280/yr Kentucky 22.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $59,840/yr Kentucky 31.1% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $51,130/yr Kentucky 41.2% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $44,870/yr Kentucky 48.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $42,100/yr Kentucky 51.6% vs this role
- Security Guards $38,540/yr Kentucky 55.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kentucky?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kentucky is $86,900 per year (median $71,670), which is 12.6% below the national average of $99,430.
How does Kentucky rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Kentucky ranks 38th 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 Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky earn about $51,640 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,330.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Kentucky?
About $41.78 per hour, based on the $86,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 720 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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