Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kentucky
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky earn a median of $71,670 a year ($34.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $93,790. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.36 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $86,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| 25th percentile | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| Median | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| 75th percentile | $96,120 | $46.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,280 | $71.77 |
| Average (mean) | $86,900 | $41.78 |
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 | $5,972.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,986.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,756.54 |
| Weekly | $1,378.27 |
| Hourly | $34.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $92,110 | 330 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $84,900 | 120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $83,620 | 190 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $79,360 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $72,800 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,710 | 30 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Bailiff | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Firefighter | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Kentucky is $71,670 a year, or $34.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Kentucky earn at least $149,280 a year. The top 25% earn $96,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,640 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $61,330 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Kentucky?
About 720 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.