Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Lafayette, LA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $60,820 a year ($29.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,310 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 1% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $60,450. There are 0.51 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $64,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,320 | $18.91 |
| 25th percentile | $54,650 | $26.28 |
| Median | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| 75th percentile | $71,810 | $34.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,310 | $41.50 |
| Average (mean) | $64,560 | $31.04 |
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 | $5,068.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,534.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,339.23 |
| Weekly | $1,169.62 |
| Hourly | $29.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $74,990 | 40 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $73,520 | 70 |
| Monroe, LA | $65,010 | 100 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,760 | 420 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $62,430 | 450 |
| Alexandria, LA | $62,030 | 40 |
| Hammond, LA | $59,400 | 70 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $58,240 | 80 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $48,270 | 120 |
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 or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Security Guard | $30,090 | $14.47 |
| Firefighter | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $21,040 | $10.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,420 | $25.20 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $60,820 a year, or $29.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $86,310 a year. The top 25% earn $71,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,320 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $54,650 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Lafayette, LA?
About 90 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.