Massachusetts Median
$110,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#10 of 51
1,300 employed here
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Massachusetts?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Massachusetts take home a median of $110,150 annually — roughly $52.96 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $93,790.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $76,150 while the top 10% make $179,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $92,020 and $146,230 a year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,150 | $36.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $92,020 | $44.24 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $110,150 | $52.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $146,230 | $70.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,030 | $86.07 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 10th 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 $160,760Maryland $126,730California $124,840Delaware $122,050New Jersey $116,300Washington $115,790Alaska $114,940Hawaii $113,940Virginia $112,760Oregon $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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts pay ($110,150) 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 Massachusetts?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Massachusetts is $110,150 per year, or about $52.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $76,150 at the entry level to $179,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 17% more than the national median of $93,790. Massachusetts ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Yes on pay — Massachusetts pays above the national median for this occupation, at $110,150 a year. About 1,300 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Massachusetts. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary report
Related salaries
$106,040
median pay · 155,000 employed
$74,060
median pay · 6,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$77,970
median pay · 53,000 employed
$59,280
median pay · 346,000 employed
$75,920
median pay · 14,000 employed
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.