Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $79,640 -14.9% vs national
Median hourly $38.29
10th percentile $55,290
90th percentile $143,230
Employed locally 210
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,290
    25th
    $66,380
    50th (median)
    $79,640
    75th
    $89,560
    90th
    $143,230

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 95% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 5% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $129,370
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    California $122,140
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $113,800
    Virginia $110,220

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,410
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $85,420
    Firefighters $51,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $117,020
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $26,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Des Moines, IA is $38.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.10 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Des Moines, IA is 14.9% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $55,290 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,380.