Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Rhode Island
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rhode Island earn a median of $88,450 a year ($42.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,140 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $93,790. Rhode Island ranks 27th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.72 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,910 | $36.50 |
| 25th percentile | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Median | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| 75th percentile | $99,100 | $47.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,140 | $76.51 |
| Average (mean) | $98,430 | $47.32 |
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 | $7,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,685.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,401.92 |
| Weekly | $1,700.96 |
| Hourly | $42.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $88,450 | 430 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Security Guard | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Firefighter | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Rhode Island is $88,450 a year, or $42.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Rhode Island earn at least $159,140 a year. The top 25% earn $99,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,910 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $77,760 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Rhode Island?
About 360 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.