National Salary Overview
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Median Salary
$90,618
Average (Mean)
$97,404
Employed Nationwide
114,420
VS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Median Salary
$74,180
Average (Mean)
$75,124
Employed Nationwide
670,500
Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns $16,437 more (22.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$90,618
$74,180
Average (Mean) Salary
$97,404
$75,124
Total Employment
114,420
670,500
States with Higher Pay
48
3
Salary by State: Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays more in 48 states; Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 3.
| State | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,290 | $51,270 | +$15,020 | ||
| Alaska | $114,940 | $99,130 | +$15,810 | ||
| Arizona | $102,340 | $78,880 | +$23,460 | ||
| Arkansas | $54,500 | $47,670 | +$6,830 | ||
| California | $124,840 | $118,880 | +$5,960 | ||
| Colorado | $105,480 | $97,350 | +$8,130 | ||
| Connecticut | $95,240 | $82,170 | +$13,070 | ||
| Delaware | $122,050 | $92,970 | +$29,080 | ||
| District of Columbia | $160,760 | $88,650 | +$72,110 | ||
| Florida | $77,060 | $74,470 | +$2,590 | ||
| Georgia | $65,430 | $58,120 | +$7,310 | ||
| Hawaii | $113,940 | $83,820 | +$30,120 | ||
| Idaho | $72,520 | $66,990 | +$5,530 | ||
| Illinois | $91,190 | $100,520 | $-9,330 | ||
| Indiana | $70,340 | $73,370 | $-3,030 | ||
| Iowa | $79,560 | $74,470 | +$5,090 | ||
| Kansas | $75,740 | $59,230 | +$16,510 | ||
| Kentucky | $71,670 | $60,490 | +$11,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $60,450 | $48,380 | +$12,070 | ||
| Maine | $88,310 | $67,050 | +$21,260 | ||
| Maryland | $126,730 | $77,970 | +$48,760 | ||
| Massachusetts | $110,150 | $78,940 | +$31,210 | ||
| Michigan | $90,650 | $73,730 | +$16,920 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,000 | $83,360 | $-3,360 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,640 | $46,140 | +$12,500 | ||
| Missouri | $75,650 | $59,460 | +$16,190 | ||
| Montana | $92,410 | $70,050 | +$22,360 | ||
| Nebraska | $100,530 | $74,620 | +$25,910 | ||
| Nevada | $94,470 | $78,140 | +$16,330 | ||
| New Hampshire | $89,290 | $71,640 | +$17,650 | ||
| New Jersey | $116,300 | $92,610 | +$23,690 | ||
| New Mexico | $86,840 | $69,180 | +$17,660 | ||
| New York | $101,240 | $92,790 | +$8,450 | ||
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $59,300 | +$3,980 | ||
| North Dakota | $82,290 | $74,500 | +$7,790 | ||
| Ohio | $79,300 | $77,020 | +$2,280 | ||
| Oklahoma | $80,430 | $59,700 | +$20,730 | ||
| Oregon | $107,450 | $88,140 | +$19,310 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $97,580 | $85,470 | +$12,110 | ||
| Rhode Island | $88,450 | $77,230 | +$11,220 | ||
| South Carolina | $62,760 | $58,070 | +$4,690 | ||
| South Dakota | $77,730 | $60,740 | +$16,990 | ||
| Tennessee | $77,090 | $59,280 | +$17,810 | ||
| Texas | $90,510 | $75,900 | +$14,610 | ||
| Utah | $78,920 | $77,310 | +$1,610 | ||
| Vermont | $106,330 | $68,910 | +$37,420 | ||
| Virginia | $112,760 | $65,870 | +$46,890 | ||
| Washington | $115,790 | $102,080 | +$13,710 | ||
| West Virginia | $92,410 | $56,960 | +$35,450 | ||
| Wisconsin | $91,040 | $78,090 | +$12,950 | ||
| Wyoming | $81,880 | $66,140 | +$15,740 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
On average across all states, a Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns more than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. The national median salary difference is $16,437 (22.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn more than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
A Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns a higher median salary than a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in 48 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
The national median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $90,618 per year, compared to $74,180 for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
There are more people employed as Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers. BLS reports approximately 114,420 Detectives and Criminal Investigators positions and 670,500 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Both Detectives and Criminal Investigators and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 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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