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How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Des Moines?

$79,560a year

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $38.25 an hour or $6,630 a month.

Hourly
$38.25
Vs. national median
-15%
Rank among cities
154 of 288
Jobs in the area
220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $56,960Median: $79,560Highest 10%: $141,700
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$56,960$27.38
25th$67,370$32.39
Median$79,560$38.25
75th$90,380$43.45
90th$141,700$68.10

Other cities in Iowa

Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators.

Omaha, NE$105,300
Davenport, IA$80,180
Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in Iowa Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in all states

Related jobs in Des Moines

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$117,800
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$110,200
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$90,370
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$81,810
Correctional Officer and Jailer$63,230
Transportation Security Screener$61,590
Firefighter$56,910
First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$45,700
Security Guard$37,550
Lifeguard$26,480
Salaries for every job in Des Moines, IA

Frequently asked questions

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour in Des Moines?

The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $38.25 ($79,560 a year).

Do detective and criminal investigators make more in Des Moines than the national average?

No: $79,560 against $93,790 nationally, 15% less.

How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?

The median in Iowa is $79,560, so Des Moines pays 0% more.

Where does Des Moines rank for detective and criminal investigator pay?

154 of 288 metro areas with data.

How much does a detective and criminal investigator make starting out in Des Moines?

The lowest-paid 10% make $56,960 or less a year; the top 10% make $141,700 or more.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.