SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Albany
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Albany, NY is $99,010 per year, close to the national median of $93,790 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Albany, NY is $99,010 per year, close to the national median of $93,790 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $77,110 and $112,700. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,670 and the ninetieth at $124,860.
The area has 960 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Kiryas Joel records the highest median at $111,860. Of the 557 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 98th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,670 | −33.2% |
| 25th | $77,110 | −17.8% |
| Median (50th) | $99,010 | +5.6% |
| 75th | $112,700 | +20.2% |
| 90th | $124,860 | +33.1% |
| Mean | $97,430 | +3.9% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiryas Joel | $111,860 | 270 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $107,660 | 450 | |
| 3 | New York | $106,440 | 7,580 | |
| 4 | Watertown | $106,110 | 70 | |
| 5 | Syracuse | $98,390 | 340 | |
| 6 | Buffalo | $95,150 | 850 | |
| 7 | Binghamton | $91,470 | 100 | |
| 8 | Utica | $90,430 | 130 | |
| 9 | Kingston | $87,990 | 70 | |
| 10 | Glens Falls | $79,560 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Albany run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $99,010 buys what $91,761 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$99,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$91,761US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $99,010 a year, 5.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,670 to $124,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kiryas Joel, at $111,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Albany, NY?
The median annual wage is $99,010, or $47.60 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $93,790, so pay in Albany, NY is 5.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Albany, NY earns more than $124,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,670 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Kiryas Joel, at $111,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in Albany, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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