SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Central Kentucky
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
At $64,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 31.1% beneath the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $64,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 31.1% beneath the national figure of $93,790. Pay ranges from under $52,170 at the tenth percentile to more than $75,020 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $54,450 to $71,210.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.61 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lexington records the highest median at $84,900. Of the 412 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 127th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,170 | −44.4% |
| 25th | $54,450 | −41.9% |
| Median (50th) | $64,590 | −31.1% |
| 75th | $71,210 | −24.1% |
| 90th | $75,020 | −20.0% |
| Mean | $63,840 | −31.9% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $84,900 | 120 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $83,620 | 190 | |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $79,360 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $64,590 goes as far as $71,608 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,608US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,590 a year, 31.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $52,170 to $75,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $84,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $64,590, or $31.06 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 Central Kentucky, KY is 31.1% lower. 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 Central Kentucky, KY earns more than $75,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $52,170 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 Lexington, at $84,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Central Kentucky, KY. 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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