Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$70,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#44 of 51
1,280 employed here

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Indiana?

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Indiana take home a median of $70,340 annually — roughly $33.82 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $93,790.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $45,480 while the top 10% make $127,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,320 and $82,740 a year.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,480$21.87
25th percentile (early career)$56,320$27.08
50th percentile (median)$70,340$33.82
75th percentile (experienced)$82,740$39.78
90th percentile (top earners)$127,790$61.44

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$160,760
2Maryland$126,730
3California$124,840
4Delaware$122,050
5New Jersey$116,300

Working as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Indiana

Nationally, about 114,000 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Indiana pay ($70,340) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Indiana?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Indiana is $70,340 per year, or about $33.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,480 at the entry level to $127,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 25% less than the national median of $93,790. Indiana ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $70,340 a year. About 1,280 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.