Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in North Dakota
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in North Dakota earn a median of $82,290 a year ($39.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,230 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $93,790. North Dakota ranks 30th 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 $88,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| 25th percentile | $62,200 | $29.90 |
| Median | $82,290 | $39.56 |
| 75th percentile | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,230 | $62.13 |
| Average (mean) | $88,310 | $42.46 |
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 | $6,857.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,428.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,165 |
| Weekly | $1,582.50 |
| Hourly | $39.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $86,110 | 60 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $85,300 | 100 |
| Minot, ND | $78,920 | 40 |
| Bismarck, ND | $64,640 | 110 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| Bailiff | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $79,520 | $38.23 |
| Security Guard | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Firefighter | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,460 | $25.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,480 | $18.50 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in North Dakota is $82,290 a year, or $39.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in North Dakota earn at least $129,230 a year. The top 25% earn $106,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,350 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $62,200 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in North Dakota?
About 420 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.