Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Mississippi
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Mississippi earn a median of $58,640 a year ($28.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $93,790. Mississippi ranks 50th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.70 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| 25th percentile | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Median | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| 75th percentile | $78,230 | $37.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Average (mean) | $71,020 | $34.15 |
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 | $4,886.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,443.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,255.38 |
| Weekly | $1,127.69 |
| Hourly | $28.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,920 | 280 |
| Jackson, MS | $68,520 | 210 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $57,420 | 30 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $57,060 | 170 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Bailiff | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $27,550 | $13.24 |
| Security Guard | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Firefighter | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| School Bus Monitor | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,440 | $11.75 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Mississippi is $58,640 a year, or $28.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Mississippi earn at least $136,120 a year. The top 25% earn $78,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,260 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $49,270 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Mississippi?
About 810 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.