National Salary Overview
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Median Salary
$90,618
Average (Mean)
$97,404
Employed Nationwide
114,420
VS
Transportation Security Screeners
Median Salary
$65,196
Average (Mean)
$63,052
Employed Nationwide
48,050
Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns $25,422 more (39.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$90,618
$65,196
Average (Mean) Salary
$97,404
$63,052
Total Employment
114,420
48,050
States with Higher Pay
39
6
Salary by State: Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Transportation Security Screeners
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays more in 39 states; Transportation Security Screeners pays more in 6.
| State | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | Transportation Security Screeners | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,290 | $63,770 | +$2,520 | ||
| Alaska | $114,940 | $71,390 | +$43,550 | ||
| Arizona | $102,340 | $64,330 | +$38,010 | ||
| Arkansas | $54,500 | $61,110 | $-6,610 | ||
| California | $124,840 | $73,610 | +$51,230 | ||
| Colorado | $105,480 | $71,530 | +$33,950 | ||
| Florida | $77,060 | $63,130 | +$13,930 | ||
| Georgia | $65,430 | $66,770 | $-1,340 | ||
| Hawaii | $113,940 | $70,160 | +$43,780 | ||
| Idaho | $72,520 | $63,130 | +$9,390 | ||
| Illinois | $91,190 | $70,570 | +$20,620 | ||
| Indiana | $70,340 | $61,670 | +$8,670 | ||
| Iowa | $79,560 | $61,590 | +$17,970 | ||
| Kansas | $75,740 | $63,130 | +$12,610 | ||
| Kentucky | $71,670 | $63,130 | +$8,540 | ||
| Louisiana | $60,450 | $63,130 | $-2,680 | ||
| Maine | $88,310 | $63,130 | +$25,180 | ||
| Maryland | $126,730 | $72,240 | +$54,490 | ||
| Massachusetts | $110,150 | $73,510 | +$36,640 | ||
| Michigan | $90,650 | $67,390 | +$23,260 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,000 | $67,290 | +$12,710 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,640 | $63,130 | $-4,490 | ||
| Missouri | $75,650 | $51,210 | +$24,440 | ||
| Montana | $92,410 | $54,770 | +$37,640 | ||
| Nebraska | $100,530 | $61,710 | +$38,820 | ||
| Nevada | $94,470 | $64,500 | +$29,970 | ||
| New Hampshire | $89,290 | $76,130 | +$13,160 | ||
| New Jersey | $116,300 | $74,400 | +$41,900 | ||
| New Mexico | $86,840 | $63,810 | +$23,030 | ||
| New York | $101,240 | $72,010 | +$29,230 | ||
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $64,540 | $-1,260 | ||
| North Dakota | $82,290 | $54,950 | +$27,340 | ||
| Ohio | $79,300 | $65,870 | +$13,430 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $97,580 | $67,330 | +$30,250 | ||
| Rhode Island | $88,450 | $71,510 | +$16,940 | ||
| South Carolina | $62,760 | $63,130 | $-370 | ||
| South Dakota | $77,730 | $55,530 | +$22,200 | ||
| Tennessee | $77,090 | $61,110 | +$15,980 | ||
| Texas | $90,510 | $68,640 | +$21,870 | ||
| Utah | $78,920 | $61,110 | +$17,810 | ||
| Vermont | $106,330 | $65,460 | +$40,870 | ||
| Virginia | $112,760 | $69,910 | +$42,850 | ||
| West Virginia | $92,410 | $63,130 | +$29,280 | ||
| Wisconsin | $91,040 | $63,130 | +$27,910 | ||
| Wyoming | $81,880 | $61,110 | +$20,770 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Transportation Security Screeners salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Transportation Security Screeners?
On average across all states, a Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns more than a Transportation Security Screeners. The national median salary difference is $25,422 (39.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators earn more than a Transportation Security Screeners?
A Detectives and Criminal Investigators earns a higher median salary than a Transportation Security Screeners in 39 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Transportation Security Screeners pays more in 6 states.
What is the median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators vs Transportation Security Screeners?
The national median salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $90,618 per year, compared to $65,196 for a Transportation Security Screeners, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Transportation Security Screeners?
There are more people employed as Detectives and Criminal Investigators. BLS reports approximately 114,420 Detectives and Criminal Investigators positions and 48,050 Transportation Security Screeners positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Detectives and Criminal Investigators or Transportation Security Screeners?
Both Detectives and Criminal Investigators and Transportation Security Screeners 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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