Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $102,370 +9.4% vs national
Median hourly $49.22
10th percentile $55,710
90th percentile $168,330
Employed locally 2,170
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,710
    25th
    $73,520
    50th (median)
    $102,370
    75th
    $125,990
    90th
    $168,330

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 115% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 15% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,530
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $113,590
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $109,830
    Brownsville-Harlingen, TX $107,240
    Mobile, AL $107,240
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $107,060

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,630
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $108,890
    Firefighters $88,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $85,400
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $33,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $136,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Chicago, IL-IN is $49.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 9.4% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $55,710 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $73,520.