Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Boston, MA-NH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Median annual salary $111,460 +19.1% vs national
Median hourly $53.59
10th percentile $76,560
90th percentile $180,090
Employed locally 1,050
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Boston, MA-NH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,560
    25th
    $87,770
    50th (median)
    $111,460
    75th
    $151,860
    90th
    $180,090

    Boston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,484 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 99% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 1% 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
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $129,370
    Maryland $125,630
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $122,450
    Massachusetts $111,460
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $110,530

    Related occupations in Boston, MA-NH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $45,300
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $78,610
    Firefighters $73,700
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $81,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $107,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $97,840

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Boston, MA-NH is $53.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.46 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Boston, MA-NH is 19.1% 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 Boston?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $76,560 per year in Boston, MA-NH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $87,770.