Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Alabama
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Alabama earn a median of $66,290 a year ($31.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,780 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $93,790. Alabama ranks 45th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 0.64 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 25th percentile | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Median | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| 75th percentile | $92,610 | $44.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,780 | $72.49 |
| Average (mean) | $79,070 | $38.01 |
Half of detectives and criminal investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,524.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,762.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,549.62 |
| Weekly | $1,274.81 |
| Hourly | $31.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $98,310 | 100 |
| Huntsville, AL | $91,230 | 240 |
| Birmingham, AL | $79,560 | 230 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $72,420 | 40 |
| Montgomery, AL | $70,710 | 220 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $64,140 | 40 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $61,140 | 30 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $50,700 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $50,080 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for detectives and criminal investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $160,760 |
| Maryland | $126,730 |
| California | $124,840 |
| Delaware | $122,050 |
| New Jersey | $116,300 |
| Washington | $115,790 |
| Alaska | $114,940 |
| Hawaii | $113,940 |
| Virginia | $112,760 |
| Massachusetts | $110,150 |
See Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $74,290 | $35.71 |
| Bailiff | $42,300 | $20.34 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Security Guard | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detectives and criminal investigators make in Alabama?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Alabama is $66,290 a year, or $31.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Alabama earn at least $150,780 a year. The top 25% earn $92,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,060 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $49,860 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Alabama?
About 1,340 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.