Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Wisconsin
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Wisconsin earn a median of $91,040 a year ($43.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,130 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $93,790. Wisconsin ranks 23rd of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.56 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $90,620, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| 25th percentile | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Median | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| 75th percentile | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,130 | $49.58 |
| Average (mean) | $90,620 | $43.57 |
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 | $7,586.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,793.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,501.54 |
| Weekly | $1,750.77 |
| Hourly | $43.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $91,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $102,780 | 280 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $92,910 | 550 |
| Appleton, WI | $92,030 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $91,820 | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $89,210 | 70 |
| Wausau, WI | $88,780 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $85,300 | 1,230 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $84,520 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $84,190 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $78,310 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $77,330 | 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.
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| Bailiff | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $89,110 | $42.84 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Security Guard | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Firefighter | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,260 | $46.28 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin is $91,040 a year, or $43.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin earn at least $103,130 a year. The top 25% earn $97,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,060 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $78,700 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Wisconsin?
About 1,640 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.