Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,670
- 25th Percentile — Junior$71,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$92,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$109,300
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$144,000
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Montana earn more than $92,410. The top 10% make $144,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,670.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 25th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $93,800 per year (5.7% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 500 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Montana — 0.4% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.32: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,670; the top 10% earn over $144,000.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.1 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Montana, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($93,560).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $93,800 on average, placing the state 25th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $93,800 is roughly equivalent to $98,737 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($101,760), Arizona ($100,000), Rhode Island ($98,430) 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 Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $93,560/yr Montana 0.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,620/yr Montana 8.7% vs this role
- Police Officers $69,540/yr Montana 25.9% vs this role
- Firefighters $57,660/yr Montana 38.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,980/yr Montana 43.5% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $52,540/yr Montana 44.0% vs this role
- Security Guards $42,270/yr Montana 54.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Montana?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Montana is $93,800 per year (median $92,410), which is 5.7% below the national average of $99,430.
How does Montana rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Montana ranks 25th 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 Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Montana earn about $58,670 per year and the 25th percentile is $71,160.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Montana?
About $45.1 per hour, based on the $93,800 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Montana?
BLS counts 500 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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