25 Best States For Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Get your magnifying glasses ready and pack your bags for the best states for detectives and criminal investigators.

If you watched Law & Order your entire life, you probably ended up in a career path mirroring Detective Olivia Benson or wishing your life had. I think it’d mostly just be cool to have my life produced by Dick Wolf and always get to solve interesting problems. There’s a level of skill involved there that I just don’t think I have, though. Like, to be a detective I’d imagine you have to have patience and also not trip and fall at a crime scene. I would probably end up accidentally tampering with evidence because I slipped in something or touched something I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to touch. There’s curiosity and then there’s just stupidity, and unfortunately I think I lean toward the latter sometimes.

There are a few key points about detectives and criminal investigators that I think we should get out of the way first. They both work according to regulations and prevent people from breaking the law while also crime solving. They’re often called agents or special agents, depending on the specifics of the job (like Special Agent Dana Scully, for example). They collect evidence from suspects in crimes and often have a specialization, such as homicide, drug trafficking, and fraud. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of detectives and criminal investigators will increase significantly in the near future. If you’re in this career path or thinking about it, you’ve chosen the right one, as there will be jobs for you in the future.

This can be a very dangerous job depending on the nature of the case, so those who are faint of heart should be wary. There are several requirements before you can even attempt to get out there, though. First, you need to get an education, preferably a bachelor’s or master’s degree. From there, you can gain experience in law enforcement and then advance your career. If you’re a police officer in the private sector, you might find our list of the 7 Jobs for Police Officers in the Private Sector useful and interesting.

In order to create this list, we took a look at some data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We considered a few points, like salary. Of course, if we only take the salary we don’t get an accurate view of whether or not the state is good to live in. It doesn’t matter if the salary is high if the cost of living is also incredibly high. Therefore, we took a look at the cost of living index from MERIC. Those factors were averaged so we could get a good view of the information. Without further ado, let’s take a look at this list of the best states for detectives and criminal investigators.

 

25. Washington

Cost of living index: 107.1

Average annual wage: $81,130

Average hourly wage: $39.00

If you were wondering whether Washington is good for you to move and work as a detective and criminal investigator, the answer is yes. In Washington, you can live and earn great as well.

 

24. Florida

Cost of living index: 99

Average annual wage: $75,350

Average hourly wage: $36.22

In Florida, you can be like Michael Cordero on Jane the Virgin. Except, you know, alive (sorry). Start packing because your dream is just one ticket away.

 

23. Arizona

Cost of living index: 98.1

Average annual wage: $74,840

Average hourly wage: $35.98

Have you ever thought about moving to Arizona? Maybe when you are a detective or a criminal investigator you’ll want to move somewhere where you don’t want to worry about bills and rent every month. You should know that 6,360 people are already working here as detectives and criminal investigators.

 

22. Wisconsin

Cost of living index: 96.9

Average annual wage: $74,390

Average hourly wage: $35.76

In Wisconsin, more than 1,280 people are already working as detectives and criminal investigators and with an average hourly wage of $35.76.

 

21. Missouri

Cost of living index: 90.8

Average annual wage: $69,800

Average hourly wage: $33.55

If you still haven’t packed a bag, start right now because more than 1,560 detectives and criminal investigators already settled in Missouri and are living their dream.

 

20. Oklahoma

Cost of living index: 88.6

Average annual wage: $68,240

Average hourly wage: $32.80

Maybe you didn’t even think about Oklahoma when you were looking for the best states to move as a detective or criminal investigator, but you definitely should now that you can see the numbers.

 

19. Maryland

Cost of living index: 125

Average annual wage: $96,410

Average hourly wage: $46.35

Maryland is one of the most beautiful states. With this living cost and a high salary like this, you can afford to enjoy the luxury and every opportunity Maryland is offering.

 

18. Nevada

Cost of living index: 104.5

Average annual wage: $80,950

Average hourly wage: $38.91

You probably didn’t even thought about Nevada when you were looking for the best place for you to move as a detective and a criminal investigator, but, considering the numbers you should seriously give it a thought. In Nevada, the cost of living index is 104.5 while the average annual salary is $80,950. If you don’t want to think on a long run, you were probably wondering how much is the average hourly wage, well, the answer is $38.91. More than 610 detectives and criminal investigators are already working here. Sounds like a great place to live, isn’t it?

 

17. New Mexico

Cost of living index: 95.7

Average annual wage: $75,170

Average hourly wage: $36.13

In New Mexico, you won’t worry anymore about unpaid bills and rent because the salary and the low living cost will allow you to afford everything you need and more. 

 

16. Utah

Cost of living index: 92.8

Average annual wage: $73,030

Average hourly wage: $35.11

Utah is one of the best states to live and work. Here you can find your dream job as a detective or criminal investigator like 380 people already did. 

 

15. North Dakota

Cost of living index: 98.9

Average annual wage: $77,870

Average hourly wage: $37.43

North Dakota is one of the most beautiful states and offers all the comfort in the world. 290 people are already working as detectives and criminal investigators here.

 

14. Pennsylvania

Cost of living index: 102.8

Average annual wage: $81,180

Average hourly wage: $39.02

Pennsylvania is the perfect state for you to move and work as a detective or criminal investigator. More than 2,880 of them have already settled here.

 

13. District of Columbia

Cost of living index: 149.2

Average annual wage: $119,280

Average hourly wage: $57.34

Yes, I know Washington, D.C. isn’t a state; however, it’s made its way onto our list of the 25 best states for detectives and criminal investigators thanks to the statistics. People in this career path do pretty well here.

 

12. Wyoming

Cost of living index: 91.7

Average annual wage: $74,230

Average hourly wage: $35.68

190 detectives and criminal investigators already call Wyoming home.

 

 

11. Texas

Cost of living index: 90.7

Average annual wage: $73,650

Average hourly wage: $35.40

When you look at the numbers, it’s no wonder why more than 16,940 detectives and criminal investigators choose to work exactly in Texas that ranked 11th on our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators.

 

10. Colorado

Cost of living index: 102.1

Average annual wage: $83,110

Average hourly wage: $39.95

We are continuing our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators with Colorado that offers a lot of adventure and opportunities to people like you. If I were you, I would be packed by now.

 

9. New Jersey

Cost of living index: 121

Average annual wage: $98,940

Average hourly wage: $47.56

More than 3,000 detectives and criminal investigators chose this profession in New Jersey because they can work the job they want and earn great.

 

8. Nebraska

Cost of living index: 91.3

Average annual wage: $75,780

Average hourly wage: $36.43

Nebraska is one of those states that will allow you to enjoy your life to the fullest while you are working the job you always wanted.

 

7. Iowa

Cost of living index: 91.7

Average annual wage: $77,040

Average hourly wage: $37.03

In Iowa, next in line on our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators you won’t spend another day worrying whether your salary will be enough to cover all of your living expenses like bills and rent. More than 400 detectives and criminal investigators already settled here.

 

6. Alaska

Cost of living index: 131.6

Average annual wage: $112,000

Average hourly wage: $53.84

Have you considered moving to Alaska and work as a detective or criminal investigator? You should give the idea of moving to Alaska a serious thought after taking a look at the opportunities.

 

5. Delaware

Cost of living index: 102.6

Average annual wage: $92,710

Average hourly wage: $44.57

We are continuing our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators with Delaware that is also one of the best states to work as a detective and criminal investigator. More than 90 are already working and earning great.

 

4. Virginia

Cost of living index: 100.2

Average annual wage: $92,610

Average hourly wage: $44.52

Virginia, next on our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators already employs more than 3,380 detectives and criminal investigators and they’re all paid pretty well.

 

3. Michigan

Cost of living index: 88.2

Average annual wage: $82,750

Average hourly wage: $39.78

If you don’t want to spend another day worrying whether your salary will be enough this month to cover all of your expenses, you should give Michigan a serious thought. 

 

2. Illinois

Cost of living index: 95.5

Average annual wage: $91,860

Average hourly wage: $44.16

The second state on our list of best states for detectives and criminal investigators is Illinois. Compared to Michigan, Illinois is offering a little bit better conditions for detectives and criminal investigators like you. Illinois already employs more than 2,840 detectives and criminal investigators.

 

1. Mississippi

Cost of living index: 86

Average annual wage: $82,750

Average hourly wage: $39.78

Mississippi employs more than 1,950 detectives and criminal investigators.

That concludes our list of 25 best states for detectives and criminal investigators. Keep in mind that the last update on Bureau of Labor Statistics list was made on March 30, 2016, and the numbers are calculated by average. We hope we managed to show you the best states to help you decide where to move to find the job you always wanted.