Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Criminal Investigator Salary in the United States

How much does a Criminal Investigator make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Criminal Investigator in the United States is $75,991 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, a Criminal Investigator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,329
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,389 to $87,160
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,468
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Criminal Investigator Salaries

A Criminal Investigator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Criminal Investigator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Criminal Investigator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Criminal Investigator (0-0 years): $75,991
  • Police Sergeant (0-5 years): $83,560
  • Police Lieutenant (5+ years): $107,234
  • Sheriff/Police Chief (5-10 years): $130,589
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Criminal Investigator0-0 years$75,991
Police Sergeant0-5 years$83,560
Police Lieutenant5+ years$107,234
Sheriff/Police Chief5-10 years$130,589
View as Graph

How Do Criminal Investigators Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Criminal Investigators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $84,137.
  • California: $83,818.
  • Massachusetts: $82,701.

Top Paying Cities for Criminal Investigator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $95,847
  • San Francisco: $94,798
  • Oakland: $92,800

What Skills Can Increase a Criminal Investigator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.02% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Forensics (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): Forensics is a scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime. Use of analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summarize the results for court cases.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.02%
Forensics 2.98%
Microsoft Office 1.35%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Criminal Investigator's salary.

  • Due Diligence: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Due Diligence $84,350
11%
Prioritization $81,310
7%
Consulting $80,550
6%
Get Latest Data

Criminal Investigator Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Criminal Investigator salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $78,423. While startup companies pay approximate $67,010.

Criminal Investigator Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,010
Growth Stage 51~500 $70,701
Established 501~5000 $75,919
Enterprise 5000+ $78,423

Criminal Investigator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Criminal Investigator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$68,389
Average $75,991/year
$87,160
$5,699
Average $6,333/month
$7,263
$1,315
Average $1,461/week
$1,676
$33
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,160 $7,263 $1,676 $42
Average $75,991 $6,333 $1,461 $37
25th Percentile $68,389 $5,699 $1,315 $33

Criminal Investigator Salary Growth & Career Path

Criminal Investigator

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Criminal Investigator, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fire Captain $85,426 12%
EMT/Paramedic Supervisor $65,483 -14%
Police Sergeant $83,560 10%

Most common benefits for Criminal Investigator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Criminal Investigator

Here are companies hiring for Criminal Investigator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Criminal Investigator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Criminal Investigator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Criminal Investigator

1. Where can a Criminal Investigator earn the most?

A Criminal Investigator's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Criminal Investigator earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Criminal Investigator is $95,847.

2. What is the highest pay for Criminal Investigator?

The highest pay for Criminal Investigator is $97,329.

3. What is the lowest pay for Criminal Investigator?

The lowest pay for Criminal Investigator is $61,468.

4. What are the responsibilities of Criminal Investigator?

Conducts investigations of criminal cases. Analyzes collected data or evidence and prepares documentation for legal action. Conducts surveillance and interviews witnesses. Interfaces with various law enforcement agencies. Often requires prior experience working in or closely with law enforecement. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst