Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $60,060 -35.8% vs national
Median hourly $28.87
10th percentile $39,320
90th percentile $110,140
Employed locally 90
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,320
    25th
    $43,700
    50th (median)
    $60,060
    75th
    $76,140
    90th
    $110,140

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 90% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 10% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $156,890
    Maryland $125,630
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,300
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,530
    Alaska $121,140
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $118,830

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $55,670
    Security Guards $31,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $71,440
    Firefighters $38,070
    School Bus Monitors $31,410
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $39,250

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Lake Charles, LA is $28.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.97 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Lake Charles, LA is 35.8% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $39,320 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,700.