Criminal Investigative Agent Salary

Average Criminal Investigative Agent Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$90,047 Per Year

Salary Range: $47,560 to $144,553

Criminal Investigative Agent Salary

$47,560

10%

$61,161

25% 

$ 90,047

AVERAGE

$106,252

75%  

$144,553

90%  

How Much Does a Criminal Investigative Agent Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Criminal Investigative Agent is $90,047 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $90,047 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop – Graphics or photo imaging software

Microsoft Visio – Process mapping and design software

Geographic information system GIS software – Geographic information system

National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database – Data base user interface and query software

Web browser software – Internet browser software

Corel WordPerfect Office Suite – Office suite software

Knowledge and Expertise

Law and Government

Public Safety and Security

Customer and Personal Service

Psychology

Education and Training

Administrative

Soft Skills

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Speaking

Social Perceptiveness

Complex Problem Solving

Reading Comprehension

What is the salary range of a Criminal Investigative Agent?

Criminal Investigative Agent salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $90,047 but a Criminal Investigative Agent can earn a base salary anywhere from $47,560 to $144,553 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Criminal Investigative Agent job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Criminal Investigative Agent?

The highest Criminal Investigative Agent salaries in the top 10% earn more than $144,553 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $106,252 and $144,553 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Criminal Investigative Agent?

The lowest Criminal Investigative Agent salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $47,560 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $47,560 and $61,161 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Criminal Investigative Agent?

If we only look at the data for Criminal Investigative Agent salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Criminal Investigative Agent job would be over $90,047 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Criminal Investigative Agent would be anything over the top 75%, which is $106,252 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Criminal Investigative Agent?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Criminal Investigative Agent. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Criminal Investigative Agent?

The top paying industries for a Criminal Investigative Agent job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Local Government
  • Federal Government
  • State Government
  • State Governmentt
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Criminal Investigative Agent Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Criminal Investigative Agent would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Criminal Investigative Agent, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Criminal Investigative Agent make good money?

 In general, a Criminal Investigative Agent can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Criminal Investigative Agent salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Criminal Investigative Agent pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 144,553 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 47,560 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Criminal Investigative Agent, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Criminal Investigative Agent will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Criminal Investigative Agent?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Criminal Investigative Agent in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Criminal Investigative Agent is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Criminal Investigative Agent?

The money a Criminal Investigative Agent can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Criminal Investigative Agent earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.