How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Helena?
$73,950a year
Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators in the Helena, MT metro area. That is $35.55 an hour or $6,163 a month.
- Hourly
- $35.55
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among cities
- 195 of 288
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $58,670Median: $73,950Highest 10%: $149,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,670 | $28.21 | |
| 25th | $58,670 | $28.21 | |
| Median | $73,950 | $35.55 | |
| 75th | $109,300 | $52.55 | |
| 90th | $149,300 | $71.77 |
Other cities in Montana
Median yearly pay for detective and criminal investigators.
| Billings, MT | $72,880 |
Related jobs in Helena
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective | $97,850 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer | $75,430 |
| Firefighter | $54,260 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $52,140 |
| Security Guard | $37,920 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make an hour in Helena?
The median hourly pay in the Helena, MT metro area is $35.55 ($73,950 a year).
Do detective and criminal investigators make more in Helena than the national average?
No: $73,950 against $93,790 nationally, 21% less.
How does Helena compare with the rest of Montana?
The median in Montana is $92,410, so Helena pays 20% less.
Where does Helena rank for detective and criminal investigator pay?
195 of 288 metro areas with data.
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make starting out in Helena?
The lowest-paid 10% make $58,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $149,300 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.