Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in New Jersey
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New Jersey earn a median of $116,300 a year ($55.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,570 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $93,790. New Jersey ranks 5th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.72 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,100 | $35.15 |
| 25th percentile | $91,360 | $43.92 |
| Median | $116,300 | $55.92 |
| 75th percentile | $134,000 | $64.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,570 | $79.60 |
| Average (mean) | $116,540 | $56.03 |
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 | $9,691.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,845.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,473.08 |
| Weekly | $2,236.54 |
| Hourly | $55.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $116,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $110,750 | 370 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,440 | 7,580 |
| Vineland, NJ | $102,980 | 70 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $99,860 | 120 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $97,580 | 2,160 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $94,800 | 190 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,920 | $21.11 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| Bailiff | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| Security Guard | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 |
| Firefighter | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,210 | $64.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey is $116,300 a year, or $55.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey earn at least $165,570 a year. The top 25% earn $134,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,100 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $91,360 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in New Jersey?
About 3,080 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.