SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Fargo
Fargo, ND-MN · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Fargo, ND is $85,300 per year, 9.1% below the national median of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Fargo, ND is $85,300 per year, 9.1% below the national median of $93,790. Half of workers earn between $61,970 and $98,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $50,600 and the ninetieth at $144,890.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Grand Forks records the highest median at $86,110. Of the 408 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 77th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,600 | −46.0% |
| 25th | $61,970 | −33.9% |
| Median (50th) | $85,300 | −9.1% |
| 75th | $98,650 | +5.2% |
| 90th | $144,890 | +54.5% |
| Mean | $87,500 | −6.7% |
Other metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $86,110 | 60 | |
| 2 | Minot | $78,920 | 40 | |
| 3 | Bismarck | $64,640 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fargo run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $85,300 goes as far as $95,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$85,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$95,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,300 a year, 9.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,600 to $144,890 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Forks, at $86,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Fargo, ND?
The median annual wage is $85,300, or $41.01 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 Fargo, ND is 9.1% 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 Fargo, ND earns more than $144,890 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,600 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 Grand Forks, at $86,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Fargo, ND. 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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