Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Albuquerque, NM

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Albuquerque, NM

Median annual salary $48,040 -48.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.10
10th percentile $48,040
90th percentile $134,970
Employed locally 640
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Albuquerque, NM
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,040
    25th
    $48,040
    50th (median)
    $48,040
    75th
    $75,590
    90th
    $134,970

    Albuquerque economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,995 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 71% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Salinas, CA $129,880

    Nearby metros — Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $112,100
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $107,240
    Arizona nonmetropolitan area $106,230
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $106,110
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $105,940
    East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area $104,330

    Related occupations in Albuquerque, NM

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,620
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $74,250
    Firefighters $42,920
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $47,450
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $86,300
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $100,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Albuquerque?

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Albuquerque, NM is $23.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.01 or more per hour.

    Is Albuquerque above or below average for Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries?

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Albuquerque, NM is 48.7% below the national median of $93,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Albuquerque?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $48,040 per year in Albuquerque, NM. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,040.