Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Boulder, CO
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $103,360 a year ($49.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,870 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 2% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $105,480. There are 0.25 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $96,860, close to the median.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 25th percentile | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Median | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| 75th percentile | $110,340 | $53.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,870 | $56.19 |
| Average (mean) | $96,860 | $46.57 |
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 | $8,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,306.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,975.38 |
| Weekly | $1,987.69 |
| Hourly | $49.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $113,340 | 1,230 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $106,270 | 70 |
| Pueblo, CO | $106,000 | 30 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $103,140 | 60 |
| Greeley, CO | $98,370 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $85,750 | 230 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,060 | $48.11 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Security Guard | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Firefighter | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $121,000 | $58.17 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,360 | $63.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,340 | $26.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Boulder, CO metro area is $103,360 a year, or $49.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $116,870 a year. The top 25% earn $110,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,010 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $79,780 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Boulder, CO?
About 50 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.