Hiring a criminal investigator: the market today
The short answer ·
77 open postings ask for a criminal investigator as of Nov 11, 2026, from 36 employers. The median advertised pay is $104,564, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 47 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 73 postings with pay
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a criminal investigator?
Competitive. 36 employers are hiring the role right now, led by State of California with 8 open postings.
What should I pay a criminal investigator?
Advertised pay centers on $104,564. The middle half runs from $80,000 to $141,096.
Where is a criminal investigator being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (14), the District of Columbia (11) and Louisiana (6). Together they hold 40% of its 77 open postings.
Who can help me hire a criminal investigator?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.