Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $78,360 -16.3% vs national
Median hourly $37.67
10th percentile $65,920
90th percentile $170,350
Employed locally 180
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,920
    25th
    $74,670
    50th (median)
    $78,360
    75th
    $102,440
    90th
    $170,350

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 88% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 12% 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
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $113,590
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $112,100
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $109,830
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $107,240
    Arizona nonmetropolitan area $106,230
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $106,110

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Firefighters $47,490
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $69,550
    Security Guards $44,100
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $42,610
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $55,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $76,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Portland, ME is $37.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $83.68 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Portland, ME is 16.3% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $65,920 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $74,670.