Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Connecticut
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Connecticut earn a median of $95,240 a year ($45.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,540 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $93,790. Connecticut ranks 18th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.56 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $101,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| 25th percentile | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Median | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| 75th percentile | $103,800 | $49.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Average (mean) | $101,890 | $48.99 |
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 | $7,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,968.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,663.08 |
| Weekly | $1,831.54 |
| Hourly | $45.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $98,690 | 340 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $98,620 | 230 |
| New Haven, CT | $96,790 | 180 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $94,470 | 120 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $86,440 | 50 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $82,170 | $39.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Bailiff | $111,890 | $53.79 |
| Security Guard | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Firefighter | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $109,360 | $52.58 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,350 | $16.99 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,500 | $47.36 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,990 | $26.92 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Connecticut is $95,240 a year, or $45.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Connecticut earn at least $130,540 a year. The top 25% earn $103,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,990 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $88,390 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Connecticut?
About 940 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.