Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kansas
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kansas earn a median of $75,740 a year ($36.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,030 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $93,790. Kansas ranks 40th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.73 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| 25th percentile | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Median | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| 75th percentile | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,030 | $54.82 |
| Average (mean) | $78,750 | $37.86 |
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 | $6,311.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,155.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,913.08 |
| Weekly | $1,456.54 |
| Hourly | $36.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $93,020 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $91,490 | 850 |
| Wichita, KS | $87,280 | 270 |
| Topeka, KS | $57,700 | 200 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,200 | 40 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Bailiff | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Firefighter | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,960 | $27.87 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,150 | $20.26 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Kansas is $75,740 a year, or $36.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Kansas?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Kansas earn at least $114,030 a year. The top 25% earn $91,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,610 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $57,530 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Kansas?
About 1,060 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.