Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Iowa

Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in Iowa have a median annual salary of $79,560, which works out to about $38.25 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $67,370 to $90,380, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

33-3021 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Iowa at a glance

Median annual salary

$79,560

Median hourly wage

$38.25/hr

Average annual salary

$87,110

Average hourly wage

$41.88/hr

25th percentile

$67,370

75th percentile

$90,380

10th percentile

$58,930

90th percentile

$141,650

People employed

410

Salary distribution

Reported wage points from the lowest to the highest paid detectives and criminal investigators roles in Iowa.

10th percentile
$58,930
25th percentile
$67,370
Median percentile
$79,560
75th percentile
$90,380
90th percentile
$141,650

Iowa vs U.S. salary

The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators roles in Iowa is about 15.2% below the U.S. median of $93,790 for the same occupation.

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How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Iowa?

Half of detectives and criminal investigators roles in Iowa report earning more than $79,560 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $87,110 is pulled up or down by the highest and lowest earners, which is why the median is usually the better benchmark.

Salary range

A quarter of reported salaries fall below $67,370 and a quarter are above $90,380, so most detectives and criminal investigators pay sits between those two figures. These percentiles describe how pay is spread across all reported roles — they are not a direct measure of years of experience.

What can affect detectives and criminal investigators pay?

  • Years of experience and level of responsibility
  • Employer type and size
  • Specialization within the occupation
  • Certifications and licensing
  • Industry
  • Hours worked, shift patterns and overtime
  • The local labor market where the job is based

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in other states

Related jobs in Iowa

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Methodology · Data sources

Salary figures are benchmarks and can vary by employer, experience, specialization, hours worked and other factors.