Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $85,300 a year ($41.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,890 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $93,790. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $82,290. There are 0.66 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| 25th percentile | $61,970 | $29.79 |
| Median | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| 75th percentile | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,890 | $69.66 |
| Average (mean) | $87,500 | $42.07 |
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 | $7,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,280.77 |
| Weekly | $1,640.38 |
| Hourly | $41.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $110,760 | 60 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $86,110 | 60 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $85,300 | 1,230 |
| Minot, ND | $78,920 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $77,330 | 120 |
| Rochester, MN | $75,100 | 50 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $68,490 | 60 |
| Bismarck, ND | $64,640 | 110 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,180 | $36.62 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Security Guard | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Firefighter | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,860 | $44.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $92,860 | $44.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $85,300 a year, or $41.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $144,890 a year. The top 25% earn $98,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,600 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $61,970 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 100 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.