Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in New Jersey

Detectives and Criminal Investigatorss in New Jersey have a median annual salary of $116,300, which works out to about $55.92 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $91,360 to $134,000, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

33-3021 · Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in New Jersey at a glance

Median annual salary

$116,300

Median hourly wage

$55.92/hr

Average annual salary

$116,540

Average hourly wage

$56.03/hr

25th percentile

$91,360

75th percentile

$134,000

10th percentile

$73,100

90th percentile

$165,570

People employed

3,080

Salary distribution

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

10th percentile
$73,100
25th percentile
$91,360
Median percentile
$116,300
75th percentile
$134,000
90th percentile
$165,570

New Jersey vs U.S. salary

The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators roles in New Jersey is about 24.0% above 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 New Jersey?

Half of detectives and criminal investigators roles in New Jersey report earning more than $116,300 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $116,540 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 $91,360 and a quarter are above $134,000, 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 New Jersey

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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.