Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Baltimore, MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Median annual salary $125,630 +34.2% vs national
Median hourly $60.40
10th percentile $70,360
90th percentile $186,760
Employed locally 490
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Baltimore, MD stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Baltimore, MD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,360
    25th
    $99,200
    50th (median)
    $125,630
    75th
    $167,110
    90th
    $186,760

    Baltimore economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,300 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 129% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 29% 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
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740

    Related occupations in Baltimore, MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,440
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$77,440
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$119,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$62,380
    Firefighters$73,000
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$35,710

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Baltimore, MD is $60.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $91.33 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Baltimore, MD is 34.2% above 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 Baltimore?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $70,360 per year in Baltimore, MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,200.