Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Massachusetts
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Massachusetts earn a median of $110,150 a year ($52.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,030 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $93,790. Massachusetts ranks 10th 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 $118,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| 25th percentile | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Median | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| 75th percentile | $146,230 | $70.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,030 | $86.07 |
| Average (mean) | $118,130 | $56.80 |
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 | $9,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,589.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,236.54 |
| Weekly | $2,118.27 |
| Hourly | $52.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $110,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $110,150 | 1,110 |
| Springfield, MA | $109,510 | 50 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $100,680 | 40 |
| Worcester, MA | $89,270 | 80 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $88,450 | 430 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| Bailiff | $86,730 | $41.70 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Security Guard | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Firefighter | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Massachusetts is $110,150 a year, or $52.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Massachusetts earn at least $179,030 a year. The top 25% earn $146,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,150 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $92,020 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Massachusetts?
About 1,300 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.