Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Topeka, KS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $57,700 a year ($27.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,310 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 24% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $75,740. There are 1.8 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| 25th percentile | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Median | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| 75th percentile | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Average (mean) | $64,530 | $31.02 |
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 | $4,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,404.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,219.23 |
| Weekly | $1,109.62 |
| Hourly | $27.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | $93,020 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $91,490 | 850 |
| Wichita, KS | $87,280 | 270 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Bailiff | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Security Guard | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Firefighter | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $105,910 | $50.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,540 | $13.72 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Topeka, KS metro area is $57,700 a year, or $27.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $90,310 a year. The top 25% earn $77,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,940 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $48,440 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Topeka, KS?
About 200 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.