National Salary Overview
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Median Salary
$83,815
Average (Mean)
$91,318
Employed Nationwide
103,650
VS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns $28,881 more (52.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$83,815
$54,934
Average (Mean) Salary
$91,318
$56,417
Total Employment
103,650
307,400
States with Higher Pay
49
0
Salary by State: Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Firefighters
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays more in 49 states; Firefighters pays more in 0.
| State | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | Firefighters | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,730 | $41,290 | +$23,440 | ||
| Alaska | $116,710 | $58,280 | +$58,430 | ||
| Arizona | $98,200 | $52,380 | +$45,820 | ||
| Arkansas | $50,170 | $39,940 | +$10,230 | ||
| California | $115,090 | $80,330 | +$34,760 | ||
| Colorado | $97,220 | $72,930 | +$24,290 | ||
| Connecticut | $96,990 | $76,480 | +$20,510 | ||
| Delaware | $83,190 | $42,970 | +$40,220 | ||
| Florida | $73,280 | $55,000 | +$18,280 | ||
| Georgia | $60,340 | $42,950 | +$17,390 | ||
| Idaho | $73,760 | $47,240 | +$26,520 | ||
| Illinois | $90,900 | $80,380 | +$10,520 | ||
| Indiana | $66,990 | $58,930 | +$8,060 | ||
| Iowa | $75,980 | $50,460 | +$25,520 | ||
| Kansas | $63,590 | $42,370 | +$21,220 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,990 | $34,430 | +$25,560 | ||
| Louisiana | $62,650 | $30,770 | +$31,880 | ||
| Maine | $78,130 | $46,900 | +$31,230 | ||
| Maryland | $117,750 | $65,090 | +$52,660 | ||
| Massachusetts | $101,540 | $70,270 | +$31,270 | ||
| Michigan | $90,750 | $51,200 | +$39,550 | ||
| Minnesota | $79,500 | $38,750 | +$40,750 | ||
| Mississippi | $51,890 | $36,130 | +$15,760 | ||
| Missouri | $75,860 | $45,050 | +$30,810 | ||
| Montana | $91,100 | $60,950 | +$30,150 | ||
| Nebraska | $86,940 | $69,040 | +$17,900 | ||
| Nevada | $87,410 | $63,600 | +$23,810 | ||
| New Hampshire | $78,230 | $51,470 | +$26,760 | ||
| New Jersey | $103,250 | $85,330 | +$17,920 | ||
| New Mexico | $85,570 | $41,790 | +$43,780 | ||
| New York | $111,630 | $82,290 | +$29,340 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,320 | $35,650 | +$25,670 | ||
| North Dakota | $77,370 | $50,450 | +$26,920 | ||
| Ohio | $79,770 | $55,040 | +$24,730 | ||
| Oklahoma | $80,080 | $53,760 | +$26,320 | ||
| Oregon | $97,020 | $70,830 | +$26,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $93,980 | $72,590 | +$21,390 | ||
| Rhode Island | $87,450 | $65,590 | +$21,860 | ||
| South Carolina | $59,800 | $45,540 | +$14,260 | ||
| South Dakota | $72,050 | $51,330 | +$20,720 | ||
| Tennessee | $64,700 | $42,220 | +$22,480 | ||
| Texas | $89,390 | $59,880 | +$29,510 | ||
| Utah | $76,750 | $46,180 | +$30,570 | ||
| Vermont | $99,380 | $48,260 | +$51,120 | ||
| Virginia | $98,590 | $54,170 | +$44,420 | ||
| Washington | $110,530 | $88,230 | +$22,300 | ||
| West Virginia | $76,750 | $40,100 | +$36,650 | ||
| Wisconsin | $88,750 | $44,710 | +$44,040 | ||
| Wyoming | $75,020 | $52,250 | +$22,770 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Firefighters?
On average across all states, a Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns more than a Firefighters. The national median salary difference is $28,881 (52.6%) based on 2024 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Firefighters?
The national median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $83,815 per year, compared to $54,934 for a Firefighters, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Firefighters?
There are more people employed as Firefighters. BLS reports approximately 103,650 Detectives and Criminal Investigators positions and 307,400 Firefighters positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Firefighters?
Both Detectives and Criminal Investigators and Firefighters are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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