Police Detective Salary in the United States

Police Detective Salary

How much does a Police Detective make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Police Detective in the United States is $34,183. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $31,253 to $37,972, with most professionals earning between $28,586 and $41,421.

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Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
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Police Detective Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Police Detective Salary $28,586 US April 01, 2025
25th Percentile Police Detective Salary $31,253 US April 01, 2025
50th Percentile Police Detective Salary $34,183 US April 01, 2025
75th Percentile Police Detective Salary $37,972 US April 01, 2025
90th Percentile Police Detective Salary $41,421 US April 01, 2025
25% $31,253 10% $28,586 90% $41,421 75% $37,972 $34,183 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Police Detective ?

A detective is an investigator, usually a member of a law enforcement agency. They often collect information to solve crime by talking to witnesses and informants, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases. This leads them to arrest criminals and enable them to be convicted in court. A detective may work for the police or privately....

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
31253
37972
34183

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
31253
37972
34183
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Police Detective in the United States. The base salary for Police Detective ranges from $31,253 to $37,972 with the average base salary of $34,183. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $31,253 to $37,972 with the average total cash compensation of $34,183.

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31253
37972

 

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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