Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$88,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $93,790
State Rank
#27 of 51
360 employed here

How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in Rhode Island?

Detectives and Criminal Investigators working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $88,450 per year, or about $42.52 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $93,790 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $75,910 while the top 10% make $159,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,760 and $99,100 a year.

Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$75,910$36.50
25th percentile (early career)$77,760$37.38
50th percentile (median)$88,450$42.52
75th percentile (experienced)$99,100$47.64
90th percentile (top earners)$159,140$76.51

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 27th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($88,450) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Rhode Island is $88,450 per year, or about $42.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $75,910 at the entry level to $159,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Detectives and Criminal Investigators about 6% less than the national median of $93,790. Rhode Island ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $88,450 a year. About 360 Detectives and Criminal Investigators are employed in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary report

Related salaries

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

$106,040
median pay · 155,000 employed

Fish and Game Wardens

$74,060
median pay · 6,000 employed

Bailiff

$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed

First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers

$77,970
median pay · 53,000 employed

Firefighter

$59,280
median pay · 346,000 employed

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

$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.