Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Missouri (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$75,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#41 of 51
1,600 employed here

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Missouri?

Detectives and Criminal Investigators working in Missouri earn a median salary of $75,650 per year, or about $36.37 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $93,790 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $49,190 while the top 10% make $151,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,870 and $93,910 a year.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,190$23.65
25th percentile (early career)$56,870$27.34
50th percentile (median)$75,650$36.37
75th percentile (experienced)$93,910$45.15
90th percentile (top earners)$151,720$72.94

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 41st 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($75,650) 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 Missouri?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Missouri is $75,650 per year, or about $36.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,190 at the entry level to $151,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 19% less than the national median of $93,790. Missouri ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $75,650 a year. About 1,600 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.