Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Maryland (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

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 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.