Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Louisiana
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Louisiana earn a median of $60,450 a year ($29.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,730 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $93,790. Louisiana ranks 49th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.90 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Median | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| 75th percentile | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,730 | $63.33 |
| Average (mean) | $71,160 | $34.21 |
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 | $5,037.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,518.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,325 |
| Weekly | $1,162.50 |
| Hourly | $29.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,450 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 cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $60,820 | 90 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $59,940 | $28.82 |
| Bailiff | $44,040 | $21.18 |
| Security Guard | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Firefighter | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,250 | $12.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,240 | $10.69 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Louisiana is $60,450 a year, or $29.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Louisiana earn at least $131,730 a year. The top 25% earn $78,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,020 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $46,320 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Louisiana?
About 1,740 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.