Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Salem, OR
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $97,750 a year ($47.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,400 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 9% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $107,450. There are 0.40 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $103,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,430 | $30.02 |
| 25th percentile | $84,890 | $40.81 |
| Median | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| 75th percentile | $132,400 | $63.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,400 | $63.65 |
| Average (mean) | $103,900 | $49.95 |
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 | $8,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,072.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,759.62 |
| Weekly | $1,879.81 |
| Hourly | $47.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $97,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $119,350 | 310 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $109,460 | 30 |
| Bend, OR | $103,000 | 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 or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $83,690 | $40.24 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,320 | $40.54 |
| Security Guard | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| Firefighter | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $58,100 | $27.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,940 | $63.43 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $89,070 | $42.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $97,500 | $46.88 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Salem, OR metro area is $97,750 a year, or $47.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $132,400 a year. The top 25% earn $132,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,430 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $84,890 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Salem, OR?
About 80 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.