SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — South Arkansas
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Arkansas, AR is $43,180 per year, substantially below the national median of $93,790 — a gap of 54.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Arkansas, AR is $43,180 per year, substantially below the national median of $93,790 — a gap of 54.0%. Pay ranges from under $39,540 at the tenth percentile to more than $54,190 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $41,960 to $49,180.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Fayetteville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $61,300. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 211th of 349 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,540 | −57.8% |
| 25th | $41,960 | −55.3% |
| Median (50th) | $43,180 | −54.0% |
| 75th | $49,180 | −47.6% |
| 90th | $54,190 | −42.2% |
| Mean | $47,570 | −49.3% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $61,300 | 100 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $56,270 | 240 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $43,180 goes as far as $49,689 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 47.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$43,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,689US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,180 a year, 54.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,540 to $54,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $61,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $43,180, or $20.76 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 South Arkansas, AR is 54.0% 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 South Arkansas, AR earns more than $54,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,540 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 Fayetteville, at $61,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in South Arkansas, AR. 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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