Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Colorado
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Colorado earn a median of $105,480 a year ($50.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,550 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $93,790. Colorado ranks 13th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.67 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 25th percentile | $86,290 | $41.49 |
| Median | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| 75th percentile | $115,130 | $55.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,550 | $77.67 |
| Average (mean) | $109,010 | $52.41 |
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 | $8,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,395 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,056.92 |
| Weekly | $2,028.46 |
| Hourly | $50.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $113,340 | 1,230 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $106,270 | 70 |
| Pueblo, CO | $106,000 | 30 |
| Boulder, CO | $103,360 | 50 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $103,140 | 60 |
| Greeley, CO | $98,370 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $85,750 | 230 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Bailiff | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Security Guard | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Firefighter | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $102,580 | $49.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $65,490 | $31.49 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Colorado is $105,480 a year, or $50.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Colorado earn at least $161,550 a year. The top 25% earn $115,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,010 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $86,290 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Colorado?
About 1,930 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.