Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Georgia
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Georgia earn a median of $65,430 a year ($31.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,030 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $93,790. Georgia ranks 46th of 51 states for detectives and criminal investigators pay. There are 1.0 detectives and criminal investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for detectives and criminal investigators in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| 25th percentile | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| Median | $65,430 | $31.46 |
| 75th percentile | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,030 | $71.65 |
| Average (mean) | $78,140 | $37.57 |
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 | $5,452.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,726.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,516.54 |
| Weekly | $1,258.27 |
| Hourly | $31.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $158,060 | 240 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $74,600 | 140 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $74,250 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,460 | 170 |
| Albany, GA | $70,930 | 70 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $69,900 | 3,070 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $68,520 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,980 | 230 |
| Gainesville, GA | $62,520 | 80 |
| Hinesville, GA | $60,150 | 40 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $58,850 | 90 |
| Valdosta, GA | $55,520 | 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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| Bailiff | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Transit and Railroad Police | $57,690 | $27.73 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| Security Guard | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Firefighter | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $58,640 | $28.19 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for detectives and criminal investigators in Georgia is $65,430 a year, or $31.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid detectives and criminal investigators make in Georgia?
The top 10% of detectives and criminal investigators in Georgia earn at least $149,030 a year. The top 25% earn $79,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for detectives and criminal investigators in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,790 a year, and a quarter of detectives and criminal investigators earn $55,310 or less.
How many detectives and criminal investigators work in Georgia?
About 5,070 detectives and criminal investigators are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.