National Salary Overview
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Median Salary
$90,618
Average (Mean)
$97,404
Employed Nationwide
114,420
VS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns $33,067 more (57.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$90,618
$57,551
Average (Mean) Salary
$97,404
$59,079
Total Employment
114,420
343,370
States with Higher Pay
50
0
Salary by State: Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Firefighters
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays more in 50 states; Firefighters pays more in 0.
| State | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | Firefighters | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,290 | $47,600 | +$18,690 | ||
| Alaska | $114,940 | $58,830 | +$56,110 | ||
| Arizona | $102,340 | $59,280 | +$43,060 | ||
| Arkansas | $54,500 | $39,690 | +$14,810 | ||
| California | $124,840 | $85,120 | +$39,720 | ||
| Colorado | $105,480 | $74,170 | +$31,310 | ||
| Connecticut | $95,240 | $77,630 | +$17,610 | ||
| Delaware | $122,050 | $46,710 | +$75,340 | ||
| District of Columbia | $160,760 | $75,870 | +$84,890 | ||
| Florida | $77,060 | $58,550 | +$18,510 | ||
| Georgia | $65,430 | $46,550 | +$18,880 | ||
| Idaho | $72,520 | $47,320 | +$25,200 | ||
| Illinois | $91,190 | $78,380 | +$12,810 | ||
| Indiana | $70,340 | $62,780 | +$7,560 | ||
| Iowa | $79,560 | $55,810 | +$23,750 | ||
| Kansas | $75,740 | $45,900 | +$29,840 | ||
| Kentucky | $71,670 | $37,150 | +$34,520 | ||
| Louisiana | $60,450 | $33,120 | +$27,330 | ||
| Maine | $88,310 | $48,290 | +$40,020 | ||
| Maryland | $126,730 | $73,810 | +$52,920 | ||
| Massachusetts | $110,150 | $72,800 | +$37,350 | ||
| Michigan | $90,650 | $54,640 | +$36,010 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,000 | $38,110 | +$41,890 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,640 | $35,880 | +$22,760 | ||
| Missouri | $75,650 | $49,080 | +$26,570 | ||
| Montana | $92,410 | $59,310 | +$33,100 | ||
| Nebraska | $100,530 | $61,040 | +$39,490 | ||
| Nevada | $94,470 | $66,570 | +$27,900 | ||
| New Hampshire | $89,290 | $56,620 | +$32,670 | ||
| New Jersey | $116,300 | $84,130 | +$32,170 | ||
| New Mexico | $86,840 | $41,590 | +$45,250 | ||
| New York | $101,240 | $100,960 | +$280 | ||
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $37,940 | +$25,340 | ||
| North Dakota | $82,290 | $55,080 | +$27,210 | ||
| Ohio | $79,300 | $59,370 | +$19,930 | ||
| Oklahoma | $80,430 | $49,710 | +$30,720 | ||
| Oregon | $107,450 | $70,900 | +$36,550 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $97,580 | $73,460 | +$24,120 | ||
| Rhode Island | $88,450 | $67,380 | +$21,070 | ||
| South Carolina | $62,760 | $42,570 | +$20,190 | ||
| South Dakota | $77,730 | $48,160 | +$29,570 | ||
| Tennessee | $77,090 | $49,300 | +$27,790 | ||
| Texas | $90,510 | $60,180 | +$30,330 | ||
| Utah | $78,920 | $48,310 | +$30,610 | ||
| Vermont | $106,330 | $46,430 | +$59,900 | ||
| Virginia | $112,760 | $58,670 | +$54,090 | ||
| Washington | $115,790 | $94,520 | +$21,270 | ||
| West Virginia | $92,410 | $37,350 | +$55,060 | ||
| Wisconsin | $91,040 | $46,850 | +$44,190 | ||
| Wyoming | $81,880 | $58,090 | +$23,790 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Firefighters salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $33,067 (57.5%) based on 2025 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 $90,618 per year, compared to $57,551 for a Firefighters, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Firefighters?
There are more people employed as Firefighters. BLS reports approximately 114,420 Detectives and Criminal Investigators positions and 343,370 Firefighters positions nationwide (2025).
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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