Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Wisconsin
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$70,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$78,700
- 50th Percentile — Median$91,040
- 75th Percentile — Senior$97,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$103,130
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earn more than $91,040. The top 10% make $103,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $70,060.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Wisconsin ranks 31st of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $90,620 per year (8.9% below the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 1,640 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin — 1.4% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.76: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Wisconsin than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $70,060; the top 10% earn over $103,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $43.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Wisconsin, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($100,710).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Wisconsin
Key factors affecting compensation
Wisconsin's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $90,620 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a Wisconsin salary of $90,620 is roughly equivalent to $98,500 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($92,920), Texas ($92,030), Wyoming ($91,890) 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 Wisconsin
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $100,710/yr Wisconsin +11.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,100/yr Wisconsin 6.1% vs this role
- Police Officers $76,560/yr Wisconsin 15.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $73,690/yr Wisconsin 18.7% vs this role
- Firefighters $50,710/yr Wisconsin 44.0% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $50,660/yr Wisconsin 44.1% vs this role
- Security Guards $41,390/yr Wisconsin 54.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Wisconsin?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Wisconsin is $90,620 per year (median $91,040), which is 8.9% below the national average of $99,430.
How does Wisconsin rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Wisconsin ranks 31st 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 Wisconsin?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earn about $70,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $78,700.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Wisconsin?
About $43.57 per hour, based on the $90,620 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Wisconsin?
BLS counts 1,640 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Wisconsin (OEWS May 2025).
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