SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — South Bend
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI · 7 metro areas compared
In South Bend, IN the median wage is $78,200.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Bend, IN the median wage is $78,200. That is 16.6% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay ranges from under $56,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $87,410 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $74,530 to $78,200.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.68 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Evansville records the highest median at $78,890. Of the 387 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 73rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,440 | −39.8% |
| 25th | $74,530 | −20.5% |
| Median (50th) | $78,200 | −16.6% |
| 75th | $78,200 | −16.6% |
| 90th | $87,410 | −6.8% |
| Mean | $77,760 | −17.1% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evansville | $78,890 | 80 | |
| 2 | Lafayette | $77,960 | 40 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $76,730 | 440 | |
| 4 | Elkhart | $75,850 | 60 | |
| 5 | Fort Wayne | $74,820 | 90 | |
| 6 | Michigan City | $60,100 | 50 | |
| 7 | Terre Haute | $56,320 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Bend run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $78,200 goes as far as $83,816 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$83,816US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,200 a year, 16.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,440 to $87,410 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Evansville, at $78,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in South Bend, IN?
The median annual wage is $78,200, or $37.59 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 Bend, IN is 16.6% 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 Bend, IN earns more than $87,410 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,440 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 Evansville, at $78,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in South Bend, IN. 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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