Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Delaware
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Delaware earn a median of $122,050 a year ($58.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,510 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $93,790. Delaware ranks 4th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.29 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $117,730, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,830 | $31.65 |
| 25th percentile | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Median | $122,050 | $58.68 |
| 75th percentile | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,510 | $79.09 |
| Average (mean) | $117,730 | $56.60 |
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 | $10,170.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,085.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,694.23 |
| Weekly | $2,347.12 |
| Hourly | $58.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Delaware at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $97,580 | 2,160 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Security Guard | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Firefighter | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,910 | $18.71 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Delaware is $122,050 a year, or $58.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Delaware?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Delaware earn at least $164,510 a year. The top 25% earn $149,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,830 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $71,670 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Delaware?
About 140 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.