Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Tucson, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tucson, AZ

Median annual salary $106,230 +13.5% vs national
Median hourly $51.07
10th percentile $63,070
90th percentile $144,730
Employed locally 1,580
National median $93,580

Compare Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
in
Tucson, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,070
    25th
    $82,230
    50th (median)
    $106,230
    75th
    $109,160
    90th
    $144,730

    Tucson economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,929 2023 • Census ACS
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary vs area income 156% Median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary is 56% 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
    Yuma, AZ $95,640
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $94,970
    Kalamazoo-Portage, MI $85,800
    Flagstaff, AZ $78,600
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $74,800

    Related occupations in Tucson, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$37,850
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$54,970
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$78,180
    Firefighters$48,530
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$36,290
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$102,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Tucson, AZ is $51.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.98 or more per hour.

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

    The median Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Tucson, AZ is 13.5% 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 Tucson?

    Entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $63,070 per year in Tucson, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,230.