Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $61,900 -33.9% vs national
Median hourly $29.76
10th percentile $48,690
90th percentile $72,640
Employed locally 30
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,690
    25th
    $52,400
    50th (median)
    $61,900
    75th
    $72,640
    90th
    $72,640

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 89% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 11% 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
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,300
    Mobile, AL $107,240
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $105,940
    East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area $104,330

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$35,940
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$62,820
    Firefighters$36,880
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$41,310
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$82,300

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Columbia, MO is $29.76, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.52 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Columbia, MO is 33.9% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $48,690 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,400.