Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$101,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#15 of 51
9,600 employed here

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in New York?

Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New York take home a median of $101,240 annually — roughly $48.67 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $93,790.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $62,130 while the top 10% make $166,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,470 and $124,860 a year.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,130$29.87
25th percentile (early career)$77,470$37.25
50th percentile (median)$101,240$48.67
75th percentile (experienced)$124,860$60.03
90th percentile (top earners)$166,800$80.19

How New York compares

New York ranks 15th 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 New York

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 York pay ($101,240) 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 York?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in New York is $101,240 per year, or about $48.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,130 at the entry level to $166,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 8% more than the national median of $93,790. New York ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,240 a year. About 9,600 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.