Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary really buy you in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is 7.7% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 92.3, meaning prices are 7.7% lower the national average. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators earning $91,040 in Wisconsin has the equivalent purchasing power of $98,634 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $70,060 | $75,904 | +$5,844 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $78,700 | $85,265 | +$6,565 |
| Median (P50) | $91,040 | $98,634 | +$7,594 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $97,120 | $105,222 | +$8,102 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $103,130 | $111,733 | +$8,603 |
A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earns $91,040 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 8% further — like earning $98,634 in an average-cost state. This makes Wisconsin one of the best value states for this occupation.
Wisconsin's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 92.3 means a basket of goods and services costs about 7.7% less than the national average. For a Detectives and Criminal Investigators, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Wisconsin's RPP, the $91,040 median salary translates to $98,635 in real terms — a 8.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators.
Wisconsin sits at #19 of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Wisconsin ranks #19 out of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Detectives and Criminal Investigators take-home pay in Wisconsin after taxes →
A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earns a median salary of $91,040 per year. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (RPP=92.3), the real purchasing power is $98,634 — a +8.3% difference.
Wisconsin's cost of living is 7.7% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Wisconsin is 92.3 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin: $91,040 x (100 / 92.3) = $98,634. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin enjoys 8.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.