SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Rochester
Rochester, NY · 10 metro areas compared
In Rochester, NY the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $107,660 a year, which is 14.8% higher than the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Rochester, NY the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $107,660 a year, which is 14.8% higher than the national figure of $93,790. Half of workers earn between $78,300 and $112,700. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,140 and the ninetieth at $128,050.
The area has 450 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Kiryas Joel leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $111,860. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 57th of 562 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,140 | −33.7% |
| 25th | $78,300 | −16.5% |
| Median (50th) | $107,660 | +14.8% |
| 75th | $112,700 | +20.2% |
| 90th | $128,050 | +36.5% |
| Mean | $99,670 | +6.3% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiryas Joel | $111,860 | 270 | |
| 2 | New York | $106,440 | 7,580 | |
| 3 | Watertown | $106,110 | 70 | |
| 4 | Albany | $99,010 | 960 | |
| 5 | Syracuse | $98,390 | 340 | |
| 6 | Buffalo | $95,150 | 850 | |
| 7 | Binghamton | $91,470 | 100 | |
| 8 | Utica | $90,430 | 130 | |
| 9 | Kingston | $87,990 | 70 | |
| 10 | Glens Falls | $79,560 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rochester run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $107,660 buys what $99,778 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$107,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$99,778US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $107,660 a year, 14.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,140 to $128,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 450 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kiryas Joel, at $111,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rochester, NY?
The median annual wage is $107,660, or $51.76 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 Rochester, NY is 14.8% 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 Rochester, NY earns more than $128,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,140 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 Kiryas Joel, at $111,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 450 jobs in this occupation in Rochester, NY. 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