Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $113,340 a year ($54.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,350 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $105,480. There are 0.77 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| 25th percentile | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Median | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| 75th percentile | $119,450 | $57.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,350 | $82.38 |
| Average (mean) | $115,890 | $55.72 |
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 | $9,445 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,722.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,359.23 |
| Weekly | $2,179.62 |
| Hourly | $54.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $113,340 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $101,970 | $49.02 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Security Guard | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Firefighter | $87,980 | $42.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,620 | $17.61 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $127,250 | $61.18 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $119,500 | $57.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $113,340 a year, or $54.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $171,350 a year. The top 25% earn $119,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,870 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $101,830 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,230 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.