Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $108,360 +15.8% vs national
Median hourly $52.10
10th percentile $75,270
90th percentile $167,650
Employed locally 1,290
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Denver, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $75,270
    25th
    $99,660
    50th (median)
    $108,360
    75th
    $116,490
    90th
    $167,650

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 106% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 6% 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
    Boulder, CO $104,400
    State College, PA $102,950

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $46,270
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $103,170
    Firefighters $88,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $36,810
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $42,440
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $64,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Denver, CO is $52.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Denver, CO is 15.8% 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $75,270 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $99,660.