The detective annual salary in the United States is $61,782, while the hourly pay stands at $24.71. In Canada, the annual police detective salary is at C$81,040 ($63,583), while in the UK is the lowest, at £38,314 ($50,234). The detective salary in Australia goes up to AU$86,518 ($66,334) per year.
While in Switzerland and Norway the same professionals make more, CHF 74,350 ($74,275) in Switzerland, and NOK545,322 ($66,918) in Norway. Anyway, there are numerous aspects that can influence the salary of detective professionals in these countries. Learn all about the salary of a detective below.
Detective Salary Influencers
The information gathered here is based on sources like Payscale, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. Industry
Here are the most relevant salaries for detectives in the top industries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Detectives and criminal investigators – $78,120
- Federal government – $82,860
- State government, excluding education and hospitals – $62,970
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals – $60,160
- Educational services; state, local, and private – $50,360
2. Geographical Area
| Detective Salary | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| US | $24.71 | $61,782 |
| Canada | C$38.96 ($30.57)* | C$81,040 ($63,583) |
| UK | £18.42 ($24.15)* | £38,314 ($50,234) |
| Australia | AU$41.59 ($31.89)* | AU$86,518 ($66,334) |
| Switzerland | CHF 36 ($35.70) | CHF 74,350 ($74,275) |
| Norway | NOK262 ($32.17) | NOK545,322 ($66,918) |
*The hourly wage for each country has been calculated based on a 40 hour work week.
Detective Salary in the US
The detective starting salary for Alabama residents won’t be nearly as high as the detective salary NYC professionals get. Below we have the states with the highest salaries for detectives in the US:
- District of Columbia average detective salary – $119,280
- Alaska detective yearly salary – $112,000
- New Jersey detective salaries – $98,940
- LAPD detective salary (detective salary California) – $97,000
- Hawaii average detective annual salary – $96,450
- The Chicago police detective salary – $91,860
- The NYC detective salary – $85,990
- Miami detective salary – $75,350
If you don’t want to have a small salary, these are the states you should avoid working in as a detective:
- North Carolina – $55,710
- Mississippi – $56,570
- Arkansas – $56,590
- Kansas – $57,920
- West Virginia – $59,760
| State | Annual mean wage ($) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 60570 |
| Alaska | 112000 |
| Arizona | 74840 |
| Arkansas | 56590 |
| California | 97000 |
| Colorado | 83110 |
| Connecticut | 86040 |
| Delaware | 92710 |
| District of Columbia | 119280 |
| Florida | 75350 |
| Georgia | 62480 |
| Hawaii | 96450 |
| Idaho | 65570 |
| Illinois | 91860 |
| Indiana | 63670 |
| Iowa | 77040 |
| Kansas | 57920 |
| Kentucky | 65900 |
| Louisiana | 60990 |
| Maine | 65830 |
| Maryland | 96410 |
| Massachusetts | 81740 |
| Michigan | 82750 |
| Minnesota | 73600 |
| Mississippi | 56570 |
| Missouri | 69800 |
| Montana | 75130 |
| Nebraska | 75780 |
| Nevada | 80950 |
| New Hampshire | 74540 |
| New Jersey | 98940 |
| New Mexico | 75170 |
| New York | 85990 |
| North Carolina | 55710 |
| North Dakota | 77870 |
| Ohio | 69740 |
| Oklahoma | 68240 |
| Oregon | 84500 |
| Pennsylvania | 81180 |
| Puerto Rico | 66370 |
| Rhode Island | 82720 |
| South Carolina | 60950 |
| South Dakota | 69380 |
| Tennessee | 62510 |
| Texas | 73650 |
| Utah | 73030 |
| Vermont | 77570 |
| Virginia | 92610 |
| Washington | 81130 |
| West Virginia | 59760 |
| Wisconsin | 74390 |
| Wyoming | 74230 |
Detective Salary in Canada
The police detective salary in Canada stands at C$81,040, while the annual total pay can be between C$39,830 and C$121,128.
Detective Salary in the UK
In the UK the detective average salary is £38,314 per year. While the total annual pay ranges between £29,233 and £50,684.
Detective Salary in Australia
A detective in Australia makes about AU$86,518 every year. While the total salary is between AU$69,643 and AU$142,031.
Detective Salary in Switzerland
The salary of a detective and criminal investigator in Switzerland is CHF74,350 per year. While the hourly pay stands at CHF36.
Detective Salary in Norway
A detective and criminal investigator averages about NOK545,322 per year in Norway, while the hourly pay is NOK262.
3. Experience
Of course, experience is also definitive for a detective’s salary. In the United States, a starting detective in the field can expect a salary as low as $55,000 a year. However, a senior detective or one with considerable experience of more than 20 years on the job can get as much as $75,500 or more.
The entry-level salary for a detective in Switzerland is CHF 57,053 per year, while the senior salary stands at CHF 97,694. In Norway, the beginner salary is around NOK 419,626 per year, while the one for an experienced detective is NOK 718,535 per year.
Working Hours
The working environment for detectives is constantly changing. One minute they can be at their office at the police department doing paperwork, the next they could be on the field at a crime scene. Detectives usually don’t have stable schedules and might even need to go to a scene in the middle of the night. Also, they can work in shifts and will most likely need to witness the outcome of violent crimes.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
Detectives usually have a very generous benefits package attached to their annual pay. Not only do they get annual, sick, and paid family leave, but they also benefit from life insurance, health insurance and dental and vision coverage, depending on the police department they work for. They can also get performance-based bonuses and other perks.
In Switzerland and Norway the bonus for detective and criminal investigators stands at CHF1,651, and NOK12,106 respectively.
Job Outlook
The job opportunities for detectives don’t seem extremely bright for the following years, however, there is a slight increase projected for the years to come. Jobs for detectives are expected to grow 7%, just as fast as the one for all other occupations in the U.S.
Moreover, as a detective, one can get promoted to positions like a corporal, sergeant, lieutenant or captain, provided they have enough years of experience and pass the written examination required for the promotion. Or can also considerate becoming an FBI agent.
Conclusion
Being a detective is an exciting profession that will always keep you on your feet. You can make a genuine difference in the life of others and solve various types of crimes. However, the job isn’t for everyone, especially those who can’t stomach a crime scene. If you are interested in the detective salary and the benefits this job brings, don’t hesitate to study to become one.
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