Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Indiana
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Indiana earn a median of $70,340 a year ($33.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $93,790. Indiana ranks 44th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.40 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $77,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| 25th percentile | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| Median | $70,340 | $33.82 |
| 75th percentile | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,790 | $61.44 |
| Average (mean) | $77,610 | $37.31 |
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 | $5,861.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,930.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,705.38 |
| Weekly | $1,352.69 |
| Hourly | $33.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,260 | 2,290 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $92,110 | 330 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $83,620 | 190 |
| Evansville, IN | $78,890 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $78,200 | 70 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $77,960 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 440 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $75,850 | 60 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $74,820 | 90 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $60,100 | 50 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $56,320 | 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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,370 | $35.27 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Bailiff | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $93,990 | $45.19 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Security Guard | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Firefighter | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,640 | $13.77 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $88,310 | $42.46 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Indiana is $70,340 a year, or $33.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Indiana earn at least $127,790 a year. The top 25% earn $82,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,480 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $56,320 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Indiana?
About 1,280 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.