How much does a Criminal Investigator make in the United States? The average Criminal Investigator salary in the United States is $77,186 as of February 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $57,909 and $85,198. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target. 

Criminal Investigator Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Criminal Investigator Salary $40,358 US February 26, 2024
25th Percentile Criminal Investigator Salary $57,909 US February 26, 2024
50th Percentile Criminal Investigator Salary $77,186 US February 26, 2024
75th Percentile Criminal Investigator Salary $85,198 US February 26, 2024
90th Percentile Criminal Investigator Salary $92,493 US February 26, 2024
25% $57,909 10% $40,358 90% $92,493 75% $85,198 $77,186 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria

What skills does a Criminal Investigator need?

Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.

Forensics: Forensics is a scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime. Use of analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summarize the results for court cases.

3.

Health Care: Health care or healthcare is the improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people.

Analysis 4.1%
Forensics 2.43%
Health Care 1.32%
Others 92.15%

Job Description for Criminal Investigator

Criminal Investigator conducts investigations of criminal cases. Analyzes collected data or evidence and prepares documentation for legal action. Being a Criminal Investigator conducts surveillance and interviews witnesses. Interfaces with various law enforcement agencies. Additionally, Criminal Investigator often requires prior experience working in or closely with law enforecement. May require a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Criminal Investigator's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)... View full job description

Employers: Job Description Management Tool

See user submitted job responsibilities for Criminal Investigator.

Salary.com job board provides millions of Criminal Investigator information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Criminal Investigator job openings or enter a new job title here.

Job Openings for Criminal Investigator

Career Path for Criminal Investigator

A career path is a sequence of jobs that leads to your short- and long-term career goals. Some follow a linear career path within one field, while others change fields periodically to achieve career or personal goals.

For Criminal Investigator, the first career path typically starts with a Campus Police Officer position, and then Campus Police Supervisor.

The second career path typically starts with a Police Sergeant position, and then progresses to Police Lieutenant.

Additionally, the third career path typically progresses to Parole Officer.

Not the job you're looking for? Search more salaries here:
See if your skills match up? Check skills for Criminal Investigator

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst

Criminal Investigator salary varies from city to city. Compared with national average salary of Criminal Investigator, the highest Criminal Investigator salary is in San Francisco, CA, where the Criminal Investigator salary is 25.0% above. The lowest Criminal Investigator salary is in Miami, FL, where the Criminal Investigator salary is 2.9% lower than national average salary.

City, State Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA Compared to national average
+ 25.0%
City, State Washington, DC Compared to national average
+ 11.3%
City, State Miami, FL Compared to national average
-2.9%
City, State Chicago, IL Compared to national average
+ 5.5%
City, State Boston, MA Compared to national average
+ 12.7%
City, State New York, NY Compared to national average
+ 17.5%
City, State Dallas, TX Compared to national average
-0.7%

Take just three simple steps below to generate your own personalized salary report

Step 1 of 3

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Criminal Investigator, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
57909
85198
77186

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
57909
85198
77186
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Criminal Investigator in the United States. The base salary for Criminal Investigator ranges from $57,909 to $85,198 with the average base salary of $77,186. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $57,909 to $85,198 with the average total cash compensation of $77,186.
Step 2 of 3

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

57909
85198

 

Step 3 of 3

How much should you be paid?

View the Cost of Living in Major Cities

Skills associated with Criminal Investigator: Law Enforcement Liaison, Investigations, Evidence Collection, Surveillance ...More

Recently searched related titles: Forensic Interviewer, Crime Analyst, Undercover Investigator

Recently searched related titles: Intelligence Professional, Investigation Specialist, Investigations Specialist

Jobs with a similar salary range to Criminal Investigator : Law Enforcement Investigator, Title Ix Investigator, Crime Investigator, Investigator, Investigator I, Investigator II

Salary estimation for Criminal Investigator at companies like : I AM Sanctuary, Operation Hope Food & Clothing Bank, Starr Commonwealth Schools

Jobs with a similar salary range to Criminal Investigator : Child Protection Investigator, Forensics Technician, Forensic Investigator

Criminal Investigator Salary in United States
Criminal Investigator Salary Graph, Regional Distribution and Summary