Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $98,860 a year ($47.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,340 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $102,340. There are 0.48 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $106,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| 25th percentile | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Median | $98,860 | $47.53 |
| 75th percentile | $121,240 | $58.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,340 | $79.49 |
| Average (mean) | $106,400 | $51.15 |
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 | $8,238.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,119.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,802.31 |
| Weekly | $1,901.15 |
| Hourly | $47.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $108,350 | 730 |
| Tucson, AZ | $105,350 | 1,620 |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,520 | 790 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $78,610 | 40 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $77,680 | 120 |
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 or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Bailiff | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Security Guard | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,830 | $16.75 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $103,010 | $49.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $114,520 | $55.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,770 | $24.89 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $98,860 a year, or $47.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $165,340 a year. The top 25% earn $121,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,360 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $74,800 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 1,140 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.