SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Arizona
Arizona nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
In Arizona, AZ the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $108,350 a year, which is 15.5% higher than the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arizona, AZ the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $108,350 a year, which is 15.5% higher than the national figure of $93,790. Half of workers earn between $78,660 and $111,360. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $58,520 and the ninetieth at $111,360.
The area has 780 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 10.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Sierra Vista leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $108,350. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 24th of 318 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,520 | −37.6% |
| 25th | $78,660 | −16.1% |
| Median (50th) | $108,350 | +15.5% |
| 75th | $111,360 | +18.7% |
| 90th | $111,360 | +18.7% |
| Mean | $96,530 | +2.9% |
Other metro areas in Arizona
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Vista | $108,350 | 730 | |
| 2 | Tucson | $105,350 | 1,620 | |
| 3 | Phoenix | $98,860 | 1,140 | |
| 4 | Yuma | $94,520 | 790 | |
| 5 | Prescott Valley | $78,610 | 40 | |
| 6 | Flagstaff | $77,680 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arizona sit close to the national average, so $108,350 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$108,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$107,597US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $108,350 a year, 15.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,520 to $111,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 780 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sierra Vista, at $108,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Arizona, AZ?
The median annual wage is $108,350, or $52.09 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 Arizona, AZ is 15.5% 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 Arizona, AZ earns more than $111,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,520 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 Sierra Vista, at $108,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 780 jobs in this occupation in Arizona, AZ. 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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