Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

Median annual salary $81,410 -13% vs national
Median hourly $39.14
10th percentile $56,960
90th percentile $159,100
Employed locally 380
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
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Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $56,960
    25th
    $71,550
    50th (median)
    $81,410
    75th
    $107,700
    90th
    $159,100

    Cincinnati economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,490 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
    Sandusky, OH $104,330
    Cleveland, OH $86,250
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $82,700
    Youngstown-Warren, OH $80,120
    Columbus, OH $77,940
    Ohio $77,940

    Related occupations in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,630
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $80,410
    Firefighters $54,130
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,940
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $84,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is $39.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.76 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN is 13% 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 Cincinnati?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $56,960 per year in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $71,550.