Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $80,930 a year ($38.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,580 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $75,650. There are 0.49 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $93,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| 25th percentile | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Median | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| 75th percentile | $116,060 | $55.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,580 | $75.76 |
| Average (mean) | $93,760 | $45.08 |
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 | $6,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,372.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,112.69 |
| Weekly | $1,556.35 |
| Hourly | $38.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL | $104,150 | 130 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $102,260 | 2,290 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $91,490 | 850 |
| Springfield, IL | $88,790 | 120 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $80,180 | 60 |
| Peoria, IL | $73,700 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $73,430 | 60 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,920 | 150 |
| Columbia, MO | $61,170 | 40 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $56,870 | 90 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,200 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| Bailiff | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Security Guard | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Firefighter | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,380 | $44.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,330 | $28.05 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,930 | $20.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $80,930 a year, or $38.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $157,580 a year. The top 25% earn $116,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,080 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $64,390 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 660 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.