Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $121,530 +29.9% vs national
Median hourly $58.43
10th percentile $94,470
90th percentile $171,480
Employed locally 290
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $94,470
    25th
    $105,720
    50th (median)
    $121,530
    75th
    $139,030
    90th
    $171,480

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 129% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 29% 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
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    Anchorage, AK $124,400
    California $122,140
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $113,800
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $113,590
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $108,360

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$44,960
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$97,070
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$48,550
    Firefighters$85,300
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$87,590
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$44,580

    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, OR-WA is $58.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $81.88 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, OR-WA is 29.9% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $94,470 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $105,720.