Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in New York
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in New York earn a median of $101,240 a year ($48.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,800 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $93,790. New York ranks 15th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.99 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| 25th percentile | $77,470 | $37.25 |
| Median | $101,240 | $48.67 |
| 75th percentile | $124,860 | $60.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,800 | $80.19 |
| Average (mean) | $105,880 | $50.91 |
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 | $8,436.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,218.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,893.85 |
| Weekly | $1,946.92 |
| Hourly | $48.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $111,860 | 270 |
| Rochester, NY | $107,660 | 450 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,440 | 7,580 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $106,110 | 70 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $99,010 | 960 |
| Syracuse, NY | $98,390 | 340 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,150 | 850 |
| Binghamton, NY | $91,470 | 100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $90,430 | 130 |
| Kingston, NY | $87,990 | 70 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $79,560 | 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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,790 | $44.61 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Bailiff | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $90,460 | $43.49 |
| Security Guard | $44,240 | $21.27 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| Firefighter | $100,960 | $48.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $124,080 | $59.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,730 | $21.51 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $72,010 | $34.62 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in New York is $101,240 a year, or $48.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in New York?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in New York earn at least $166,800 a year. The top 25% earn $124,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,130 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $77,470 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in New York?
About 9,600 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.