SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Maryland
Maryland · 2 metro areas compared
At $126,730 a year, the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland sits 35.1% above the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $126,730 a year, the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland sits 35.1% above the national figure of $93,790. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $93,230 and $166,230. The lowest tenth earn under $71,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $188,700.
The area has 1,010 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.4 of every thousand jobs. Maryland ranks number 2nd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Baltimore records the highest median at $128,440. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 85th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $71,200 | −24.1% |
| 25th | $93,230 | −0.6% |
| Median (50th) | $126,730 | +35.1% |
| 75th | $166,230 | +77.2% |
| 90th | $188,700 | +101.2% |
| Mean | $130,040 | +38.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Maryland
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | $128,440 | 490 | |
| 2 | Hagerstown | $98,700 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Maryland run 5.0% above the national average, so the median of $126,730 buys what $120,695 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 28.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$126,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$120,695US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $126,730 a year, 35.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $71,200 to $188,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,010 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Baltimore, at $128,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Maryland?
The median annual wage is $126,730, or $60.93 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 Maryland is 35.1% 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 Maryland earns more than $188,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $71,200 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 Baltimore, at $128,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,010 jobs in this occupation in Maryland. 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.
Explore related data