Kentucky ranks 37th of 50 states and D.C. for detectives and criminal investigators pay, trailing top-paying Maryland ($125,630) by $48,190 — a 62% gap.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators are less concentrated in Kentucky than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.49 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.04× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| 25th percentile | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| 75th percentile | $108,700 | $52.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,800 | $72.50 |
| Mean (average) | $88,950 | $42.76 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $77,440 | n/a |
| Maryland | $125,630 | +62% |
| California | $122,140 | +58% |
| Alaska | $121,140 | +56% |
| Washington | $116,450 | +50% |
| New Jersey | $113,830 | +47% |
| Hawaii | $112,100 | +45% |
| Massachusetts | $111,460 | +44% |
| Virginia | $110,220 | +42% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | $77,440 | 2,140 |
| General and Operations Managers | $77,150 | 58,570 |
| Financial Examiners | $77,140 | 570 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $76,400 | 2,300 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,630 | 1,440 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $76,050 | 2,640 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kentucky?
The mean detectives and criminal investigators salary in Kentucky is $88,950 per year. The median (middle) salary is $77,440 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Kentucky?
Entry-level detectives and criminal investigatorss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $49,820 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $60,670 per year.
What is the highest Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $150,800 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $108,700 per year.
How does the Kentucky Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary compare to the national average?
The median detectives and criminal investigators salary in Kentucky is $77,440, which is -17% below national average of $93,580.