Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $104,400 +11.6% vs national
Median hourly $50.19
10th percentile $71,580
90th percentile $118,250
Employed locally 50
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Boulder, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $71,580
    25th
    $80,730
    50th (median)
    $104,400
    75th
    $118,250
    90th
    $118,250

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 102% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 2% 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
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,300
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $122,450
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,530
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $108,360
    State College, PA $102,950

    Related occupations in Boulder, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $36,400
    Security Guards $49,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $101,240
    Firefighters $80,330
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $47,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $122,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Boulder, CO is $50.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.19 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Boulder, CO is 11.6% 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 Boulder?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $71,580 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $80,730.