Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Illinois
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Illinois earn a median of $91,190 a year ($43.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,060 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $93,790. Illinois ranks 22nd of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.54 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $97,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| 25th percentile | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Median | $91,190 | $43.84 |
| 75th percentile | $114,640 | $55.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,060 | $75.51 |
| Average (mean) | $97,480 | $46.87 |
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 | $7,599.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,799.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,507.31 |
| Weekly | $1,753.65 |
| Hourly | $43.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | $104,150 | 130 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,260 | 2,290 |
| Springfield, IL | $88,790 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $80,930 | 660 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,180 | 60 |
| Peoria, IL | $73,700 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $73,430 | 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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Bailiff | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Security Guard | $39,490 | $18.98 |
| Firefighter | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $123,500 | $59.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,570 | $33.93 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Illinois is $91,190 a year, or $43.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Illinois earn at least $157,060 a year. The top 25% earn $114,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,960 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $69,590 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Illinois?
About 3,270 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.