Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $54,820 -41.4% vs national
Median hourly $26.36
10th percentile $43,040
90th percentile $82,300
Employed locally 70
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Athens, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,040
    25th
    $43,040
    50th (median)
    $54,820
    75th
    $64,460
    90th
    $82,300

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 87% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 13% 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
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $96,740
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $96,040
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $95,590
    Michigan $92,560
    Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area $83,760

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $32,240
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $56,920
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $75,640
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,030
    School Bus Monitors $35,130
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $38,550

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Athens, GA is $26.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.08 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Athens, GA is 41.4% 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 Athens?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $43,040 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,040.