Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Arkansas
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Arkansas earn a median of $54,500 a year ($26.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,890 for the top 10%. That is 42% lower than the national median of $93,790. Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.43 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $68,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,380 | $19.90 |
| 25th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Median | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| 75th percentile | $66,820 | $32.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,890 | $69.66 |
| Average (mean) | $68,840 | $33.10 |
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 | $4,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,270.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,096.15 |
| Weekly | $1,048.08 |
| Hourly | $26.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,920 | 280 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $61,300 | 100 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $56,270 | 240 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $55,950 | 30 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Bailiff | $45,090 | $21.68 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $72,200 | $34.71 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Firefighter | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Arkansas is $54,500 a year, or $26.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Arkansas earn at least $144,890 a year. The top 25% earn $66,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,380 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $46,300 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Arkansas?
About 560 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.