Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Great Falls, MT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Great Falls, MT

Median annual salary $126,800 +35.5% vs national
Median hourly $60.96
10th percentile $62,090
90th percentile $159,410
Employed locally 30
National median $93,580

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Great Falls, MT
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,090
    25th
    $75,070
    50th (median)
    $126,800
    75th
    $146,490
    90th
    $159,410

    Great Falls economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,203 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 192% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 92% 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
    Missoula, MT $98,470
    Binghamton, NY $83,270
    Billings, MT $76,060
    Helena, MT $73,950
    Sumter, SC $53,480

    Related occupations in Great Falls, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $41,480
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $79,810
    Firefighters $60,790
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $82,380

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Great Falls, MT is $60.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Great Falls, MT is 35.5% 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 Great Falls?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $62,090 per year in Great Falls, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,070.