Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary by State
The national median pay for detectives and criminal investigators is $93,790 a year. By state, it ranges from $54,500 in Arkansas to $160,760 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $55,390
- 25th percentile
- $69,330
- Median
- $93,790
- 75th percentile
- $120,520
- Top 10%
- $160,540
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 114,430 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $160,760 | +71% | $94,220 | $195,190 | 2,980 |
| 2 | Maryland | $126,730 | +35% | $71,200 | $188,700 | 1,010 |
| 3 | California | $124,840 | +33% | $78,280 | $165,510 | 12,610 |
| 4 | Delaware | $122,050 | +30% | $65,830 | $164,510 | 140 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $116,300 | +24% | $73,100 | $165,570 | 3,080 |
| 6 | Washington | $115,790 | +23% | $84,500 | $162,860 | 1,850 |
| 7 | Alaska | $114,940 | +23% | $79,680 | $183,680 | 140 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113,940 | +21% | $92,520 | $165,030 | 440 |
| 9 | Virginia | $112,760 | +20% | $62,730 | $195,190 | 3,180 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,150 | +17% | $76,150 | $179,030 | 1,300 |
| 11 | Oregon | $107,450 | +15% | $81,990 | $158,060 | 520 |
| 12 | Vermont | $106,330 | +13% | $65,690 | $153,670 | 190 |
| 13 | Colorado | $105,480 | +12% | $73,010 | $161,550 | 1,930 |
| 14 | Arizona | $102,340 | +9% | $60,590 | $142,380 | 5,250 |
| 15 | New York | $101,240 | +8% | $62,130 | $166,800 | 9,600 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $100,530 | +7% | $68,900 | $155,210 | 290 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $97,580 | +4% | $63,770 | $154,360 | 3,370 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $95,240 | +2% | $78,990 | $130,540 | 940 |
| 19 | Nevada | $94,470 | +1% | $60,920 | $152,480 | 590 |
| 20 | Montana | $92,410 | −1% | $58,670 | $144,000 | 500 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $92,410 | −1% | $48,450 | $171,250 | 220 |
| 22 | Illinois | $91,190 | −3% | $53,960 | $157,060 | 3,270 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $91,040 | −3% | $70,060 | $103,130 | 1,640 |
| 24 | Michigan | $90,650 | −3% | $71,590 | $164,670 | 2,220 |
| 25 | Texas | $90,510 | −3% | $52,510 | $132,850 | 18,870 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | $89,290 | −5% | $74,690 | $174,050 | 290 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $88,450 | −6% | $75,910 | $159,140 | 360 |
| 28 | Maine | $88,310 | −6% | $63,290 | $120,430 | 550 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $86,840 | −7% | $47,480 | $111,970 | 2,020 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $82,290 | −12% | $58,350 | $129,230 | 420 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $81,880 | −13% | $62,230 | $149,280 | 170 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $80,430 | −14% | $51,420 | $136,120 | 1,220 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $80,000 | −15% | $59,710 | $115,210 | 1,970 |
| 34 | Iowa | $79,560 | −15% | $58,930 | $141,650 | 410 |
| 35 | Ohio | $79,300 | −15% | $56,840 | $151,200 | 2,140 |
| 36 | Utah | $78,920 | −16% | $48,040 | $149,280 | 550 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $77,730 | −17% | $60,210 | $149,280 | 250 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $77,090 | −18% | $49,660 | $149,280 | 1,860 |
| 39 | Florida | $77,060 | −18% | $50,050 | $162,450 | 6,440 |
| 40 | Kansas | $75,740 | −19% | $49,610 | $114,030 | 1,060 |
| 41 | Missouri | $75,650 | −19% | $49,190 | $151,720 | 1,600 |
| 42 | Idaho | $72,520 | −23% | $53,120 | $125,550 | 630 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $71,670 | −24% | $51,640 | $149,280 | 720 |
| 44 | Indiana | $70,340 | −25% | $45,480 | $127,790 | 1,280 |
| 45 | Alabama | $66,290 | −29% | $43,060 | $150,780 | 1,340 |
| 46 | Georgia | $65,430 | −30% | $46,790 | $149,030 | 5,070 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $63,280 | −33% | $50,260 | $137,550 | 3,360 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $62,760 | −33% | $50,960 | $149,280 | 1,470 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $60,450 | −36% | $39,020 | $131,730 | 1,740 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $58,640 | −37% | $41,260 | $136,120 | 810 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $54,500 | −42% | $41,380 | $144,890 | 560 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary questions
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $160,760 a year (+71% vs. the national median of $93,790). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $54,500 a year (−42% vs. national).
Where do most detectives and criminal investigators work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 18,870, with a median of $90,510.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.