Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in New Mexico
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New Mexico earn a median of $86,840 a year ($41.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,970 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $93,790. New Mexico ranks 29th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 2.3 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,880, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Median | $86,840 | $41.75 |
| 75th percentile | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,970 | $53.83 |
| Average (mean) | $84,880 | $40.81 |
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 | $7,236.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,618.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,340 |
| Weekly | $1,670 |
| Hourly | $41.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces, NM | $106,330 | 560 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $76,230 | 60 |
| Farmington, NM | $69,640 | 40 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $47,480 | 680 |
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 Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $69,180 | $33.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Security Guard | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Firefighter | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,200 | $44.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,460 | $15.13 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,800 | $18.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 Mexico?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in New Mexico is $86,840 a year, or $41.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in New Mexico earn at least $111,970 a year. The top 25% earn $109,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,480 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $59,160 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in New Mexico?
About 2,020 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.