Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbus, OH
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $79,000 a year ($37.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,020 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is about the same as the Ohio statewide median of $79,300. There are 0.49 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $90,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| 25th percentile | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| Median | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| 75th percentile | $106,120 | $51.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,020 | $68.28 |
| Average (mean) | $90,920 | $43.71 |
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 | $6,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,291.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,038.46 |
| Weekly | $1,519.23 |
| Hourly | $37.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,000 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 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $92,110 | 330 |
| Cleveland, OH | $89,300 | 440 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $83,620 | 150 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $77,410 | 70 |
| Akron, OH | $76,230 | 110 |
| Toledo, OH | $75,610 | 150 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,710 | 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 or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Bailiff | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Security Guard | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,830 | $15.78 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $79,000 a year, or $37.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $142,020 a year. The top 25% earn $106,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,840 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $65,350 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Columbus, OH?
About 540 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.