Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Syracuse, NY
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $98,390 a year ($47.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,730 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 3% lower than the New York statewide median of $101,240. There are 1.1 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,600, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 25th percentile | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Median | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| 75th percentile | $111,630 | $53.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,730 | $63.33 |
| Average (mean) | $95,600 | $45.96 |
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 | $8,199.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,099.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,784.23 |
| Weekly | $1,892.12 |
| Hourly | $47.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $111,860 | 270 |
| Rochester, NY | $107,660 | 450 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,440 | 7,580 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $106,110 | 70 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $99,010 | 960 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,150 | 850 |
| Binghamton, NY | $91,470 | 100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $90,430 | 130 |
| Kingston, NY | $87,990 | 70 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $79,560 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Bailiff | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Security Guard | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,870 | $15.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Firefighter | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $71,650 | $34.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,990 | $40.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, NY
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $98,390 a year, or $47.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $131,730 a year. The top 25% earn $111,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,170 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $71,690 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Syracuse, NY?
About 340 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.