New Mexico Median
$86,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#29 of 51
2,020 employed here
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in New Mexico?
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New Mexico take home a median of $86,840 annually — roughly $41.75 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $93,790.
Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $47,480 while the top 10% make $111,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,160 and $109,300 a year.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in New Mexico
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,160 | $28.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,840 | $41.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,970 | $53.83 |
|
How New Mexico compares
New Mexico ranks 29th 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 $112,760Massachusetts $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 $88,310North 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 New Mexico
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 New Mexico pay ($86,840) 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 New Mexico?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in New Mexico is $86,840 per year, or about $41.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,480 at the entry level to $111,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 7% less than the national median of $93,790. New Mexico ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $86,840 a year. About 2,020 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.