Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $98,970 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $47.58
10th percentile $68,870
90th percentile $144,160
Employed locally 510
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $68,870
    25th
    $93,080
    50th (median)
    $98,970
    75th
    $106,600
    90th
    $144,160

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 130% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 30% 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
    Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $155,110
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $103,940
    Madison, WI $101,690
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $98,740
    Kenosha, WI $92,910
    Wisconsin $92,910

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $40,790
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,670
    Firefighters $49,210
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $30,050
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $68,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $108,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Milwaukee, WI is $47.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.43 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Milwaukee, WI is 5.8% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $68,870 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $93,080.