Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Minnesota (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Minnesota Median
$80,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#33 of 51
1,970 employed here

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Minnesota?

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Minnesota take home a median of $80,000 annually — roughly $38.46 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $93,790.

Within Minnesota, entry-level pay starts around $59,710 while the top 10% make $115,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,580 and $100,090 a year.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Minnesota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$59,710$28.71
25th percentile (early career)$69,580$33.45
50th percentile (median)$80,000$38.46
75th percentile (experienced)$100,090$48.12
90th percentile (top earners)$115,210$55.39

How Minnesota compares

Minnesota ranks 33rd 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 Minnesota

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 Minnesota pay ($80,000) 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 Minnesota?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Minnesota is $80,000 per year, or about $38.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,710 at the entry level to $115,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Minnesota pay compare to the national average?
Minnesota pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 15% less than the national median of $93,790. Minnesota ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Minnesota a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,000 a year. About 1,970 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota?
The highest-paying occupations in Minnesota include Radiologist ($708,340), Dermatologist ($625,790), Surgeon, All Other ($568,150), 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.