Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Appleton, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Appleton, WI

Median annual salary $91,680 -2% vs national
Median hourly $44.08
10th percentile $78,080
90th percentile $100,570
Employed locally 50
National median $93,580

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Appleton, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,080
    25th
    $82,690
    50th (median)
    $91,680
    75th
    $97,240
    90th
    $100,570

    Appleton economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $83,919 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 109% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 9% above 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
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $103,940
    Madison, WI $101,690
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $98,970
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740
    Wisconsin $92,910

    Related occupations in Appleton, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,280
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $79,100
    Firefighters $60,650
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,880
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $98,170
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $62,050

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Appleton, WI is $44.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.32 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Appleton, WI is 2% 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 Appleton?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $78,080 per year in Appleton, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,690.