SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Palm Bay
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL · 10 metro areas compared
At $63,130, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 32.7% beneath the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $63,130, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 32.7% beneath the national figure of $93,790. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,170 and $116,060. The lowest tenth earn under $44,100, while the highest tenth earn more than $163,650.
Employment stands at 90, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Miami leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $99,080. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 151st of 414 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,100 | −53.0% |
| 25th | $47,170 | −49.7% |
| Median (50th) | $63,130 | −32.7% |
| 75th | $116,060 | +23.7% |
| 90th | $163,650 | +74.5% |
| Mean | $85,610 | −8.7% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | $99,080 | 2,110 | |
| 2 | Tampa | $92,420 | 1,150 | |
| 3 | Cape Coral | $76,310 | 230 | |
| 4 | Port St. Lucie | $75,420 | 110 | |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $74,580 | 540 | |
| 6 | Pensacola | $71,680 | 140 | |
| 7 | Orlando | $70,760 | 540 | |
| 8 | Lakeland | $69,450 | 70 | |
| 9 | Crestview | $67,750 | 90 | |
| 10 | Gainesville | $66,350 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Palm Bay run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $63,130 buys what $61,054 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 34.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,130as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,054US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,130 a year, 32.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $44,100 to $163,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Miami, at $99,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Palm Bay, FL?
The median annual wage is $63,130, or $30.35 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 Palm Bay, FL is 32.7% 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 Palm Bay, FL earns more than $163,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $44,100 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 Miami, at $99,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Palm Bay, FL. 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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