Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Appleton, WI
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $92,030 a year ($44.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,590 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 1% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $91,040. There are 0.38 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $87,590, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| 25th percentile | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Median | $92,030 | $44.24 |
| 75th percentile | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| Average (mean) | $87,590 | $42.11 |
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 | $7,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,834.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,539.62 |
| Weekly | $1,769.81 |
| Hourly | $44.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $102,780 | 280 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $92,910 | 550 |
| Kenosha, WI | $91,820 | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $89,210 | 70 |
| Wausau, WI | $88,780 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $85,300 | 1,230 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $84,520 | 30 |
| Green Bay, WI | $84,190 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $78,310 | 60 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $77,330 | 120 |
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 or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Security Guard | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Firefighter | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,480 | $13.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,020 | $46.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $89,900 | $43.22 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,570 | $21.43 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Appleton, WI metro area is $92,030 a year, or $44.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $102,590 a year. The top 25% earn $97,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,970 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $79,960 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Appleton, WI?
About 50 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.