Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Missouri
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri earn a median of $75,650 a year ($36.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,720 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $93,790. Missouri ranks 41st of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.54 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $85,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| 25th percentile | $56,870 | $27.34 |
| Median | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| 75th percentile | $93,910 | $45.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,720 | $72.94 |
| Average (mean) | $85,720 | $41.21 |
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 | $6,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,152.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,909.62 |
| Weekly | $1,454.81 |
| Hourly | $36.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $91,490 | 850 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $80,930 | 660 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,920 | 150 |
| Columbia, MO | $61,170 | 40 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $56,870 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,200 | 40 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Bailiff | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $70,030 | $33.67 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Security Guard | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Firefighter | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,440 | $45.41 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,200 | $27.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Missouri is $75,650 a year, or $36.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Missouri earn at least $151,720 a year. The top 25% earn $93,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,190 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $56,870 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Missouri?
About 1,600 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.