Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $92,110 a year ($44.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 16% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $79,300. There are 0.30 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $96,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| 25th percentile | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Median | $92,110 | $44.28 |
| 75th percentile | $104,560 | $50.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,500 | $74.76 |
| Average (mean) | $96,190 | $46.25 |
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 | $7,675.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,837.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,542.69 |
| Weekly | $1,771.35 |
| Hourly | $44.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sandusky, OH | $109,300 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,260 | 2,290 |
| Cleveland, OH | $89,300 | 440 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $84,900 | 120 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $83,620 | 150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $83,620 | 190 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,360 | 40 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,000 | 540 |
| Evansville, IN | $78,890 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $78,200 | 70 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $77,960 | 40 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $77,410 | 70 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 440 |
| Akron, OH | $76,230 | 110 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $75,850 | 60 |
| Toledo, OH | $75,610 | 150 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $74,820 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $72,800 | 80 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $60,100 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,710 | 30 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $56,320 | 60 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $55,460 | $26.66 |
| Bailiff | $59,450 | $28.58 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Security Guard | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Firefighter | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $86,770 | $41.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,870 | $49.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,970 | $27.39 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,570 | $14.21 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,850 | $16.75 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $92,110 a year, or $44.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $155,500 a year. The top 25% earn $104,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,800 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $75,030 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 330 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.