Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Arizona
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Arizona earn a median of $102,340 a year ($49.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,380 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $93,790. Arizona ranks 14th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 1.6 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,000, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| 25th percentile | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| Median | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| 75th percentile | $111,360 | $53.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,380 | $68.45 |
| Average (mean) | $100,000 | $48.08 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,264.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,936.15 |
| Weekly | $1,968.08 |
| Hourly | $49.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $108,350 | 730 |
| Tucson, AZ | $105,350 | 1,620 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $98,860 | 1,140 |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,520 | 790 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $78,610 | 40 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $77,680 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Bailiff | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Security Guard | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,470 | $46.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,840 | $35.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Arizona?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Arizona is $102,340 a year, or $49.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Arizona?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Arizona earn at least $142,380 a year. The top 25% earn $111,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,590 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $77,730 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Arizona?
About 5,250 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.