Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Minnesota
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Minnesota earn a median of $80,000 a year ($38.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $93,790. Minnesota ranks 33rd of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.67 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| 25th percentile | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| Median | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| 75th percentile | $100,090 | $48.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $87,860 | $42.24 |
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 | $6,666.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,333.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,076.92 |
| Weekly | $1,538.46 |
| Hourly | $38.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $110,760 | 60 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $86,110 | 60 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $85,300 | 100 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $85,300 | 1,230 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $77,330 | 120 |
| Rochester, MN | $75,100 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $68,490 | 60 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Bailiff | $49,890 | $23.98 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Security Guard | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| Firefighter | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,330 | $18.43 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Minnesota is $80,000 a year, or $38.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Minnesota earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $100,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,710 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $69,580 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Minnesota?
About 1,970 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.