Average Detective or Criminal Investigator Salary

Skills in Forensic Interviewing, Fraud Investigation and Theft Investigation are correlated to pay that is above average. Skills that pay less than market rate include Writing Procedures & Documentation and Criminal.

An entry-level Detective or Criminal Investigator with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $49,320 based on 28 salaries. An early career Detective or Criminal Investigator with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $51,195 based on 112 salaries. A mid-career Detective or Criminal Investigator with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $57,565 based on 110 salaries. An experienced Detective or Criminal Investigator with 10-19 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $70,233 based on 146 salaries. In their late career (20 years and higher), employees earn an average total compensation of $70,592.

Employees with Detective or Criminal Investigator in their job title in Washington, District of Columbia earn an average of 43.5% more than the national average. These job titles also find higher than average salaries in Los Angeles, California (27.8% more) and Chicago, Illinois (22.6% more). The lowest salaries can be found in Atlanta, Georgia (12.1% less) and Orlando, Florida (2.8% less).