Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tucson, AZ
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $105,350 a year ($50.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 3% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $102,340. There are 4.2 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,050, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| 25th percentile | $81,060 | $38.97 |
| Median | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| 75th percentile | $111,360 | $53.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,640 | $70.98 |
| Average (mean) | $101,050 | $48.58 |
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 | $8,779.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,389.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,051.92 |
| Weekly | $2,025.96 |
| Hourly | $50.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $108,350 | 730 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $98,860 | 1,140 |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,520 | 790 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $78,610 | 40 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $77,680 | 120 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Bailiff | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Security Guard | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Firefighter | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,840 | $35.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $105,350 a year, or $50.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $147,640 a year. The top 25% earn $111,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,500 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $81,060 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Tucson, AZ?
About 1,620 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.