SOC 33-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Detectives and Criminal Investigators — Watertown
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · 10 metro areas compared
In Watertown, NY the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $106,110 a year, which is 13.1% higher than the national figure of $93,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Watertown, NY the median wage for Detectives and Criminal Investigators is $106,110 a year, which is 13.1% higher than the national figure of $93,790. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $88,390 and $109,300. The lowest tenth earn under $78,920, while the highest tenth earn more than $115,210.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Kiryas Joel records the highest median at $111,860. Of the 199 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 14th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,920 | −15.9% |
| 25th | $88,390 | −5.8% |
| Median (50th) | $106,110 | +13.1% |
| 75th | $109,300 | +16.5% |
| 90th | $115,210 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $100,370 | +7.0% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiryas Joel | $111,860 | 270 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $107,660 | 450 | |
| 3 | New York | $106,440 | 7,580 | |
| 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 Watertown run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $106,110 buys what $98,341 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$106,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$98,341US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $106,110 a year, 13.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $78,920 to $115,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 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 Watertown, NY?
The median annual wage is $106,110, or $51.01 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 Watertown, NY is 13.1% 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 Watertown, NY earns more than $115,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $78,920 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 70 jobs in this occupation in Watertown, 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.
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