Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Iowa
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Iowa earn a median of $79,560 a year ($38.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,650 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $93,790. Iowa ranks 34th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.26 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $87,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| 25th percentile | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Median | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| 75th percentile | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,650 | $68.10 |
| Average (mean) | $87,110 | $41.88 |
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 | $6,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060 |
| Weekly | $1,530 |
| Hourly | $38.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $105,310 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,180 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $79,560 | 220 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| Bailiff | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Firefighter | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,840 | $47.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,740 | $15.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,420 | $35.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,750 | $17.19 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Iowa is $79,560 a year, or $38.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Iowa earn at least $141,650 a year. The top 25% earn $90,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,930 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $67,370 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Iowa?
About 410 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.