Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Florida
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Florida earn a median of $77,060 a year ($37.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,450 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $93,790. Florida ranks 39th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.65 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| 25th percentile | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Median | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| 75th percentile | $120,180 | $57.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,450 | $78.10 |
| Average (mean) | $93,020 | $44.72 |
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 | $6,421.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,210.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,963.85 |
| Weekly | $1,481.92 |
| Hourly | $37.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $99,080 | 2,110 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $92,420 | 1,150 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $76,310 | 230 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $75,420 | 110 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $74,580 | 540 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $71,680 | 140 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $70,760 | 540 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $69,450 | 70 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $67,750 | 90 |
| Gainesville, FL | $66,350 | 110 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $65,040 | 90 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $64,320 | 90 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $63,130 | 90 |
| Ocala, FL | $60,470 | 50 |
| Sebring, FL | $59,890 | 40 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $59,240 | 40 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $58,610 | 80 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $58,410 | 50 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $58,410 | 490 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $58,090 | 60 |
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 Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Bailiff | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Security Guard | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Firefighter | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,140 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $55,620 | $26.74 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Florida
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 Florida?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Florida is $77,060 a year, or $37.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Florida?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Florida earn at least $162,450 a year. The top 25% earn $120,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,050 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $60,790 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Florida?
About 6,440 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.