Detectives and Criminal Investigators: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

How does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

173% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$56,890
$4,741/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$90,900
$7,575/mo
Senior (P90)
$155,440
$12,953/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$56,890
National: $56,575
+0.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$90,900
National: $83,815
+8.5%
Senior (P90)
$155,440
National: $144,332
+7.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Illinois spans from $56,890 at entry-level to $155,440 at senior level — a difference of $98,550 per year.

P10
$56K
P25
$65K
Median
$90K
P75
$118K
P90
$155K

Career Growth Premium: +173%

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Illinois earn $98,550 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$98,550
Monthly Difference
+$8,212
Hourly Difference
+$47.38
Growth Multiple
2.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $56,890 $4,741 $27.35
Early Career P25 $65,750 $5,479 $31.61
Mid-Career Median $90,900 $7,575 $43.70
Experienced P75 $118,670 $9,889 $57.05
Senior / Expert P90 $155,440 $12,953 $74.73
Key Insight

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $56,890, while senior-level professionals earn $155,440 — a 173% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($90,900) and experienced level ($118,670), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$178,000
Entry: $65K
+172%
2
$177,340
Entry: $64K
+173%
3
$177,340
Entry: $54K
+225%
4
$171,790
Entry: $73K
+133%
5
$170,810
Entry: $66K
+155%
6
$166,610
Entry: $59K
+181%
7
$162,490
Entry: $74K
+119%
8
$159,740
Entry: $76K
+109%
9
$158,680
Entry: $41K
+281%
10
$158,500
Entry: $74K
+114%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $56,890 per year, or $4,740 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $65,750. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Detectives and Criminal Investigators make?

Senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $155,440 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $118,670. This represents a career premium of 173% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

The career salary growth potential for Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss is 173%. Entry-level professionals start at $56,890, while senior-level can earn up to $155,440 — a difference of $98,550 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss?

The highest-paying state for senior Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $155,440 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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