Detectives and Criminal Investigators
SOC 33-3021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $91,100, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $95,930, and an estimated 106,730 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +4.8% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -11% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will shrink 0.7% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,100 | $91,100 | 106,730 |
| 2022 | $86,280 | $89,832 | 107,400 |
| 2021 | $83,640 | $94,052 | 107,890 |
| 2020 | $86,940 | $102,356 | 105,980 |
Nominal change
+4.8%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-11%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
-0.7%
About average
Employment 2024
117,900
Projected 2034
117,100
Annual Openings
7,800
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $91,100. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $117,750 | +29.3% | 980 |
| Alaska | $116,710 | +28.1% | 130 |
| California | $115,090 | +26.3% | 10,980 |
| Hawaii | $112,730 | +23.7% | 430 |
| New York | $111,630 | +22.5% | 9,030 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $111,470 | +22.4% | 60 |
| Washington | $110,530 | +21.3% | 1,630 |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $106,100 | +16.5% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $103,250 | +13.3% | 3,360 |
| Massachusetts | $101,540 | +11.5% | 1,210 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$50,670
25th Pct
$64,830
Median
$91,100
75th Pct
$116,170
90th Pct
$154,360
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sibylline Americas Inc. | VA | 1 | $100,000 |
| Middle East Media & Research Institute Inc. | DC | 1 | $106,579 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Protective Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.