Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Montana
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Montana earn a median of $92,410 a year ($44.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,000 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $93,790. Montana ranks 20th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.97 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| 25th percentile | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Median | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| 75th percentile | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,000 | $69.23 |
| Average (mean) | $93,800 | $45.10 |
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 | $7,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,850.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,554.23 |
| Weekly | $1,777.12 |
| Hourly | $44.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $136,120 | 40 |
| Missoula, MT | $99,560 | 40 |
| Helena, MT | $73,950 | 70 |
| Billings, MT | $72,880 | 70 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| Bailiff | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Montana is $92,410 a year, or $44.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Montana?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Montana earn at least $144,000 a year. The top 25% earn $109,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,670 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $71,160 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Montana?
About 500 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.