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Crime Investigator Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Crime Investigator in the United States is $74,719 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,781
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,176 to $85,744
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,309
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Crime Investigator Salaries

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

How Do Crime Investigator 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 Crime Investigators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $82,729.
  • California: $82,415.
  • Massachusetts: $81,317.

Top Paying Cities for Crime Investigators

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: $94,243
  • San Francisco: $93,211
  • Oakland: $91,247

What Skills Can Increase a Crime 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 Crime 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 $82,938
11%
Prioritization $79,949
7%
Consulting $79,202
6%
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Crime Investigator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Crime 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 October 01, 2026
$67,176
Average $74,719/year
$85,744
$5,598
Average $6,227/month
$7,145
$1,292
Average $1,437/week
$1,649
$32
Average $36/hour
$41
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $85,744 $7,145 $1,649 $41
Average $74,719 $6,227 $1,437 $36
25th Percentile $67,176 $5,598 $1,292 $32

Most common benefits for Crime Investigator

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

Common company salaries for Crime Investigator

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

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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.

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