Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Indianapolis, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Median annual salary $78,550 -16.1% vs national
Median hourly $37.77
10th percentile $46,640
90th percentile $152,170
Employed locally 440
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Indianapolis, IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Indianapolis, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,640
    25th
    $59,200
    50th (median)
    $78,550
    75th
    $109,680
    90th
    $152,170

    Indianapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,065 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
    Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV $157,270
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $153,340
    Salinas, CA $129,880
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $126,380
    Bellingham, WA $120,080
    Washington $116,450

    Related occupations in Indianapolis, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $39,030
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $80,700
    Firefighters $66,290
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $45,710
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,530
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $36,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Indianapolis, IN is $37.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Indianapolis, IN is 16.1% 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 Indianapolis?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $46,640 per year in Indianapolis, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,200.