Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Phoenix, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Median annual salary $94,970 +1.5% vs national
Median hourly $45.66
10th percentile $58,330
90th percentile $162,010
Employed locally 1,240
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Phoenix, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,330
    25th
    $66,600
    50th (median)
    $94,970
    75th
    $113,530
    90th
    $162,010

    Phoenix economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,703 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 112% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 12% 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
    Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ $106,230
    Tucson, AZ $106,230
    Yuma, AZ $95,640
    Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $85,800
    Flagstaff, AZ $78,600
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $74,800

    Related occupations in Phoenix, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $38,560
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,060
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $91,600
    Firefighters $61,640
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $35,360
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $34,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Phoenix, AZ is $45.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $79.49 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Phoenix, AZ is 1.5% 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 Phoenix?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $58,330 per year in Phoenix, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,600.