Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Wisconsin
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earn a median annual wage of $91,040 —2.9% below the national median of $93,790. That ranks WI #23 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.76× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Wisconsin is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $160,760 | $77.29 | 2,980 | 5.78 |
| 2 | Maryland | $126,730 | $60.93 | 1,010 | 0.50 |
| 3 | California | $124,840 | $60.02 | 12,610 | 0.94 |
| 4 | Delaware | $122,050 | $58.68 | 140 | 0.40 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $116,300 | $55.92 | 3,080 | 0.98 |
| 6 | Washington | $115,790 | $55.67 | 1,850 | 0.71 |
| 7 | Alaska | $114,940 | $55.26 | 140 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $113,940 | $54.78 | 440 | 0.95 |
| 9 | Virginia | $112,760 | $54.21 | 3,180 | 1.05 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,150 | $52.96 | 1,300 | 0.49 |
Related occupations in Wisconsin
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Wisconsin.
| Occupation | Wisconsin median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $37,440 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $46,850 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $106,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage for detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin is $91,040, or $43.77 per hour. That is 2.9% below the national median of $93,790.
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Wisconsin?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $70,060 per year ($33.68/hour). The 25th percentile is $78,700.
How many people work as detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin?
About 1,640 people work in this occupation in Wisconsin, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Wisconsin a good state for detectives and criminal investigators?
Wisconsin ranks #23 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.76x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Wisconsin.
Which state pays detectives and criminal investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $160,760 per year, followed by Maryland ($126,730) and California ($124,840).