Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Bismarck, ND
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median of $64,640 a year ($31.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,850 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 21% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $82,290. There are 1.5 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Bismarck, ND
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| 25th percentile | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Median | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| 75th percentile | $88,160 | $42.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,850 | $58.58 |
| Average (mean) | $77,300 | $37.16 |
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 | $5,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,693.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,486.15 |
| Weekly | $1,243.08 |
| Hourly | $31.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $86,110 | 60 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $85,300 | 100 |
| Minot, ND | $78,920 | 40 |
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 or the North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bismarck, ND
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Security Guard | $36,130 | $17.37 |
| Firefighter | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bismarck, ND
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 Bismarck, ND?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $64,640 a year, or $31.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Bismarck, ND?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn at least $121,850 a year. The top 25% earn $88,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Bismarck, ND?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,120 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $58,900 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Bismarck, ND?
About 110 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Bismarck, ND metro area, not counting the self-employed.