Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay range in Portland
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $90,390 a year or less, while the top 10% make $170,310 or more. The middle half of detectives and criminal investigators in Portland earn between $102,020 and $127,860.
- $90K10th
- $102K25th
- $119KMedian
- $128K75th
- $170K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $122,910 | $10,242 | $59.09 |
| Median | $119,350 | $9,946 | $57.38 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $102,020 | $8,502 | $49.05 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $127,860 | $10,655 | $61.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay in Portland vs. Oregon and the U.S.
Detectives and criminal investigators in Portland earn 8% more than the Oregon average ($113,430) and 24% more than the U.S. average ($99,430). At the median the gap is +27% against the U.S. median of $93,790.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $122,910 | $119,350 | $90,390 | $170,310 | 310 |
| Oregon | $113,430 | $107,450 | $81,990 | $158,060 | 520 |
| United States | $99,430 | $93,790 | $55,390 | $160,540 | 114,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary after taxes in Portland
On the average salary of $122,910, a single filer in Portland takes home about $85,822 a year, or $7,152 a month and $3,301 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WA | $95,275 | $7,940 |
| Working in OR | $85,822 | $7,152 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Is Portland a good place for detectives and criminal investigators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Portland area are 5% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.4), so the average $122,910 buys what about $116,590 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Portland ($60,690). A typical home costs $552,022, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in other Oregon cities
Portland ranks 1st of 4 Oregon metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
All Detectives and Criminal Investigators salaries in Oregon
Highest-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators
Brunswick, GA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($148,490).
- Brunswick, GA$148,490
- Washington, DC$146,910
- San Jose, CA$144,580
- Oxnard, CA$138,040
- San Francisco, CA$135,460
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Portland: questions
How much do detectives and criminal investigators make an hour in Portland?
$59.09 an hour on average, and $57.38 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level detectives and criminal investigators salary in Portland?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $90,390 a year and the 25th percentile is $102,020, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the detectives and criminal investigators take-home pay in Portland?
About $85,822 a year ($7,152 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $122,910. Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
Do detectives and criminal investigators earn more in Portland than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% more than the U.S. average for this job ($99,430).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-3021; area Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA (38900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Portland-area Metro and Multnomah County taxes and the 0.1% statewide transit tax are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.35, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.35).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.