Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Topeka, KS

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Topeka, KS

Median annual salary $54,020 -42.3% vs national
Median hourly $25.97
10th percentile $38,880
90th percentile $80,940
Employed locally 210
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Topeka, KS
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,880
    25th
    $45,840
    50th (median)
    $54,020
    75th
    $64,940
    90th
    $80,940

    Topeka economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,160 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 79% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 21% 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
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $143,250
    Lawrence, KS $93,020
    Kansas City, MO-KS $91,620
    Jacksonville, NC $90,690
    Wichita, KS $87,410
    Grand Forks, ND-MN $86,240

    Related occupations in Topeka, KS

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$50,920
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$57,990
    Security Guards$36,560
    Firefighters$45,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$93,640
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$92,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Topeka, KS is $25.97, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.42 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Topeka, KS is 42.3% 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 Topeka?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $38,880 per year in Topeka, KS. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,840.