SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Southwest Louisiana
Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $40,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 56.4% beneath the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $40,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Detectives and Criminal Investigators, 56.4% beneath the national figure of $93,790. Pay ranges from under $34,960 at the tenth percentile to more than $67,190 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $40,160 to $54,090.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.08 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Slidell records the highest median at $74,990. Of the 259 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 158th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,960 | −62.7% |
| 25th | $40,160 | −57.2% |
| Median (50th) | $40,900 | −56.4% |
| 75th | $54,090 | −42.3% |
| 90th | $67,190 | −28.4% |
| Mean | $46,940 | −50.0% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slidell | $74,990 | 40 | |
| 2 | Shreveport | $73,520 | 70 | |
| 3 | Monroe | $65,010 | 100 | |
| 4 | Baton Rouge | $63,760 | 420 | |
| 5 | New Orleans | $62,430 | 450 | |
| 6 | Alexandria | $62,030 | 40 | |
| 7 | Lafayette | $60,820 | 90 | |
| 8 | Hammond | $59,400 | 70 | |
| 9 | Lake Charles | $58,240 | 80 | |
| 10 | Houma | $48,270 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $40,900 goes as far as $46,372 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 50.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,372US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,900 a year, 56.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,960 to $67,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Slidell, at $74,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Southwest Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $40,900, or $19.67 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 Southwest Louisiana, LA is 56.4% 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 Southwest Louisiana, LA earns more than $67,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,960 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 Slidell, at $74,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Louisiana, LA. 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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