Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Michigan
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Michigan earn a median of $90,650 a year ($43.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,670 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $93,790. Michigan ranks 24th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.51 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $103,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| 25th percentile | $80,140 | $38.53 |
| Median | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| 75th percentile | $120,560 | $57.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Average (mean) | $103,190 | $49.61 |
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 | $7,554.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,777.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,486.54 |
| Weekly | $1,743.27 |
| Hourly | $43.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $105,780 | 50 |
| Flint, MI | $96,740 | 90 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $95,820 | 1,200 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $92,410 | 140 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $86,510 | 200 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $84,800 | 40 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $80,680 | 30 |
| Saginaw, MI | $80,140 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $78,200 | 70 |
| Traverse City, MI | $73,050 | 50 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Bailiff | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Firefighter | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,480 | $15.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,550 | $37.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,390 | $32.40 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Michigan is $90,650 a year, or $43.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Michigan earn at least $164,670 a year. The top 25% earn $120,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,590 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $80,140 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Michigan?
About 2,220 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.