Criminal Investigator Salary in 2026
Investigate suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws and conduct interviews.
Median Salary
$93,790
$7,816/mo
Entry Level
$62,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$128,100
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) at a national median of $93,790 per year (mean $99,430), or $45.09 per hour, with 114,430 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Criminal Investigator Overview
Investigate suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws and conduct interviews.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-5 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
114K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$45.09/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,816
Criminal Investigator Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Criminal Investigator salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Criminal Investigator Salary
$106,000
$8,833/month · $4,077/biweekly · $50.96/hr
Criminal Investigator Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Criminal Investigator field.
Entry-level Criminal Investigators earn around $62,900, while the top 10% earn $142,950 or more.
Top Paying States for Criminal Investigators
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $111,000 | +$17,210 |
| New York | $108,000 | +$14,210 |
| Maryland | $101,000 | +$7,210 |
| Virginia | $99,000 | +$5,210 |
| Texas | $92,000 | $-1,790 |
Top Paying Cities for Criminal Investigators
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $111,000 | +$17,210 |
| Washington DC | $108,000 | +$14,210 |
| Los Angeles | $105,000 | +$11,210 |
| Baltimore | $98,000 | +$4,210 |
| Houston | $93,000 | $-790 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Criminal Investigator Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Criminal Investigator from entry level to expert.
$62,900
0-2 years
$96,000
3-7 years
$128,100
8-14 years
$157,800
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Criminal Investigator Salary FAQ
How much does a Criminal Investigator make in 2026?
The median salary for a Criminal Investigator in the United States is $93,790 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021); the mean is $99,430. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $62,900, senior professionals around $128,100, and top earners at $157,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Criminal Investigator?
A Criminal Investigator typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience. Key skills include Investigation, Forensics, Interviewing. Relevant certifications such as Federal Law Enforcement Training can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Criminal Investigators?
The job market for Criminal Investigators is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 114K Criminal Investigator positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Criminal Investigators the most?
The highest-paying states for Criminal Investigators include Virginia, California, New York. In Virginia, the median salary is approximately $99,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Criminal Investigator salary?
To increase your Criminal Investigator salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Investigation and Forensics. Pursue certifications such as Federal Law Enforcement Training. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Washington DC. With 3-5 years of experience, you can progress from $62,900 to $128,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Criminal Investigator Salary
How we calculate Criminal Investigator salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $93,790, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Detectives and Criminal Investigators; BLS mean $99,430; BLS hourly median $45.09.
- Entry-level ($62,900) and senior-level ($128,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 114,430 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $93,790; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Criminal Investigator compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Criminal Investigator job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Criminal Investigator salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Investigation, Forensics, Interviewing), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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