Maryland Median
$126,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#2 of 51
1,010 employed here
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Maryland?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland take home a median of $126,730 annually — roughly $60.93 an hour — which runs 35% above the national median of $93,790.
Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $71,200 while the top 10% make $188,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,230 and $166,230 a year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Maryland
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,200 | $34.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,230 | $44.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,730 | $60.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $166,230 | $79.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $188,700 | $90.72 |
|
How Maryland compares
Maryland ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other states
District of Columbia $160,760California $124,840Delaware $122,050New Jersey $116,300Washington $115,790Alaska $114,940Hawaii $113,940Virginia $112,760Massachusetts $110,150Oregon $107,450Vermont $106,330Colorado $105,480Arizona $102,340New York $101,240Nebraska $100,530Pennsylvania $97,580Connecticut $95,240Nevada $94,470Montana $92,410West Virginia $92,410Illinois $91,190Wisconsin $91,040Michigan $90,650Texas $90,510New Hampshire $89,290Rhode Island $88,450Maine $88,310New Mexico $86,840North Dakota $82,290Wyoming $81,880Oklahoma $80,430Minnesota $80,000Iowa $79,560Ohio $79,300Utah $78,920South Dakota $77,730Tennessee $77,090Florida $77,060Kansas $75,740Missouri $75,650Idaho $72,520Kentucky $71,670Indiana $70,340Alabama $66,290Georgia $65,430North Carolina $63,280South Carolina $62,760Louisiana $60,450Mississippi $58,640Arkansas $54,500
Working as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland
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 Maryland pay ($126,730) 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 Maryland?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Maryland is $126,730 per year, or about $60.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,200 at the entry level to $188,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 35% more than the national median of $93,790. Maryland ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $126,730 a year. About 1,010 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), 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.