Detective / Criminal Investigator in Colorado

$60,972 – $168,996

state pay plan range, a year

classes in the state plan

$105,480

median pay in CO, all employers

1,930

workers in CO (SOC 33-3021)

Sources: Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR), State of Colorado Pay Plan FY 2026-27 — Pay Plan with Steps, State Troopers and Medical Pay Plan; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Colorado state pay plan Sourced

Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 1, 2026. These are the ranges Colorado sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.

Class and grade	Published rate
Criminal Investigator I Class A2A2TX · class description Grade A11	$5,081.00 – $7,113.00 a month $60,972 – $85,356 a year 31 steps Minimum: $5,081.00 a month Year 1: $5,081.00 a month Year 2: $5,081.00 a month Year 3: $5,335.00 a month Year 4: $5,335.00 a month Year 5: $5,602.00 a month Year 6: $5,602.00 a month Year 7: $5,602.00 a month Year 8: $5,882.00 a month Year 9: $5,882.00 a month Year 10: $6,097.00 a month Year 11: $6,097.00 a month Year 12: $6,219.00 a month Year 13: $6,219.00 a month Year 14: $6,219.00 a month Year 15: $6,343.00 a month Year 16: $6,343.00 a month Year 17: $6,343.00 a month Year 18: $6,343.00 a month Year 19: $6,343.00 a month Year 20: $6,470.00 a month Year 21: $6,470.00 a month Year 22: $6,470.00 a month Year 23: $6,470.00 a month Year 24: $6,470.00 a month Year 25: $6,600.00 a month Year 26: $6,600.00 a month Year 27: $6,600.00 a month Year 28: $6,600.00 a month Year 29: $6,600.00 a month Year 30: $6,600.00 a month
Criminal Investigator II Class A2A3XX · class description Grade A13	$5,601.00 – $7,844.00 a month $67,212 – $94,128 a year 31 steps Minimum: $5,601.00 a month Year 1: $5,601.00 a month Year 2: $5,601.00 a month Year 3: $5,881.00 a month Year 4: $5,881.00 a month Year 5: $6,175.00 a month Year 6: $6,175.00 a month Year 7: $6,175.00 a month Year 8: $6,484.00 a month Year 9: $6,484.00 a month Year 10: $6,723.00 a month Year 11: $6,723.00 a month Year 12: $6,857.00 a month Year 13: $6,857.00 a month Year 14: $6,857.00 a month Year 15: $6,995.00 a month Year 16: $6,995.00 a month Year 17: $6,995.00 a month Year 18: $6,995.00 a month Year 19: $6,995.00 a month Year 20: $7,135.00 a month Year 21: $7,135.00 a month Year 22: $7,135.00 a month Year 23: $7,135.00 a month Year 24: $7,135.00 a month Year 25: $7,277.00 a month Year 26: $7,277.00 a month Year 27: $7,277.00 a month Year 28: $7,277.00 a month Year 29: $7,277.00 a month Year 30: $7,277.00 a month
Criminal Investigator III Class A2A4XX · class description Grade A15	$6,176.00 – $8,646.00 a month $74,112 – $103,752 a year 31 steps Minimum: $6,176.00 a month Year 1: $6,176.00 a month Year 2: $6,176.00 a month Year 3: $6,485.00 a month Year 4: $6,485.00 a month Year 5: $6,809.00 a month Year 6: $6,809.00 a month Year 7: $6,809.00 a month Year 8: $7,149.00 a month Year 9: $7,149.00 a month Year 10: $7,411.00 a month Year 11: $7,411.00 a month Year 12: $7,559.00 a month Year 13: $7,559.00 a month Year 14: $7,559.00 a month Year 15: $7,710.00 a month Year 16: $7,710.00 a month Year 17: $7,710.00 a month Year 18: $7,710.00 a month Year 19: $7,710.00 a month Year 20: $7,865.00 a month Year 21: $7,865.00 a month Year 22: $7,865.00 a month Year 23: $7,865.00 a month Year 24: $7,865.00 a month Year 25: $8,022.00 a month Year 26: $8,022.00 a month Year 27: $8,022.00 a month Year 28: $8,022.00 a month Year 29: $8,022.00 a month Year 30: $8,022.00 a month
Special Agent I Class A2B1XX · class description Grade A17	$6,810.00 – $9,532.00 a month $81,720 – $114,384 a year 31 steps Minimum: $6,810.00 a month Year 1: $6,810.00 a month Year 2: $6,810.00 a month Year 3: $7,151.00 a month Year 4: $7,151.00 a month Year 5: $7,508.00 a month Year 6: $7,508.00 a month Year 7: $7,508.00 a month Year 8: $7,883.00 a month Year 9: $7,883.00 a month Year 10: $8,171.00 a month Year 11: $8,171.00 a month Year 12: $8,334.00 a month Year 13: $8,334.00 a month Year 14: $8,334.00 a month Year 15: $8,501.00 a month Year 16: $8,501.00 a month Year 17: $8,501.00 a month Year 18: $8,501.00 a month Year 19: $8,501.00 a month Year 20: $8,671.00 a month Year 21: $8,671.00 a month Year 22: $8,671.00 a month Year 23: $8,671.00 a month Year 24: $8,671.00 a month Year 25: $8,845.00 a month Year 26: $8,845.00 a month Year 27: $8,845.00 a month Year 28: $8,845.00 a month Year 29: $8,845.00 a month Year 30: $8,845.00 a month
Criminal Investigator IV Class A2A5XX · class description Grade A18	$7,149.00 – $10,009.00 a month $85,788 – $120,108 a year 31 steps Minimum: $7,149.00 a month Year 1: $7,149.00 a month Year 2: $7,149.00 a month Year 3: $7,506.00 a month Year 4: $7,506.00 a month Year 5: $7,882.00 a month Year 6: $7,882.00 a month Year 7: $7,882.00 a month Year 8: $8,276.00 a month Year 9: $8,276.00 a month Year 10: $8,580.00 a month Year 11: $8,580.00 a month Year 12: $8,752.00 a month Year 13: $8,752.00 a month Year 14: $8,752.00 a month Year 15: $8,927.00 a month Year 16: $8,927.00 a month Year 17: $8,927.00 a month Year 18: $8,927.00 a month Year 19: $8,927.00 a month Year 20: $9,105.00 a month Year 21: $9,105.00 a month Year 22: $9,105.00 a month Year 23: $9,105.00 a month Year 24: $9,105.00 a month Year 25: $9,287.00 a month Year 26: $9,287.00 a month Year 27: $9,287.00 a month Year 28: $9,287.00 a month Year 29: $9,287.00 a month Year 30: $9,287.00 a month
Special Agent II Class A2B2XX · class description Grade A19	$7,506.00 – $10,510.00 a month $90,072 – $126,120 a year 31 steps Minimum: $7,506.00 a month Year 1: $7,506.00 a month Year 2: $7,506.00 a month Year 3: $7,881.00 a month Year 4: $7,881.00 a month Year 5: $8,275.00 a month Year 6: $8,275.00 a month Year 7: $8,275.00 a month Year 8: $8,689.00 a month Year 9: $8,689.00 a month Year 10: $9,008.00 a month Year 11: $9,008.00 a month Year 12: $9,188.00 a month Year 13: $9,188.00 a month Year 14: $9,188.00 a month Year 15: $9,372.00 a month Year 16: $9,372.00 a month Year 17: $9,372.00 a month Year 18: $9,372.00 a month Year 19: $9,372.00 a month Year 20: $9,559.00 a month Year 21: $9,559.00 a month Year 22: $9,559.00 a month Year 23: $9,559.00 a month Year 24: $9,559.00 a month Year 25: $9,751.00 a month Year 26: $9,751.00 a month Year 27: $9,751.00 a month Year 28: $9,751.00 a month Year 29: $9,751.00 a month Year 30: $9,751.00 a month
Criminal Investigator V Class A2A6XX · class description Grade A21	$8,276.00 – $11,587.00 a month $99,312 – $139,044 a year 31 steps Minimum: $8,276.00 a month Year 1: $8,276.00 a month Year 2: $8,276.00 a month Year 3: $8,690.00 a month Year 4: $8,690.00 a month Year 5: $9,124.00 a month Year 6: $9,124.00 a month Year 7: $9,124.00 a month Year 8: $9,581.00 a month Year 9: $9,581.00 a month Year 10: $9,932.00 a month Year 11: $9,932.00 a month Year 12: $10,131.00 a month Year 13: $10,131.00 a month Year 14: $10,131.00 a month Year 15: $10,333.00 a month Year 16: $10,333.00 a month Year 17: $10,333.00 a month Year 18: $10,333.00 a month Year 19: $10,333.00 a month Year 20: $10,540.00 a month Year 21: $10,540.00 a month Year 22: $10,540.00 a month Year 23: $10,540.00 a month Year 24: $10,540.00 a month Year 25: $10,751.00 a month Year 26: $10,751.00 a month Year 27: $10,751.00 a month Year 28: $10,751.00 a month Year 29: $10,751.00 a month Year 30: $10,751.00 a month
Special Agent III Class A2B3XX · class description Grade A21	$8,276.00 – $11,587.00 a month $99,312 – $139,044 a year 31 steps Minimum: $8,276.00 a month Year 1: $8,276.00 a month Year 2: $8,276.00 a month Year 3: $8,690.00 a month Year 4: $8,690.00 a month Year 5: $9,124.00 a month Year 6: $9,124.00 a month Year 7: $9,124.00 a month Year 8: $9,581.00 a month Year 9: $9,581.00 a month Year 10: $9,932.00 a month Year 11: $9,932.00 a month Year 12: $10,131.00 a month Year 13: $10,131.00 a month Year 14: $10,131.00 a month Year 15: $10,333.00 a month Year 16: $10,333.00 a month Year 17: $10,333.00 a month Year 18: $10,333.00 a month Year 19: $10,333.00 a month Year 20: $10,540.00 a month Year 21: $10,540.00 a month Year 22: $10,540.00 a month Year 23: $10,540.00 a month Year 24: $10,540.00 a month Year 25: $10,751.00 a month Year 26: $10,751.00 a month Year 27: $10,751.00 a month Year 28: $10,751.00 a month Year 29: $10,751.00 a month Year 30: $10,751.00 a month
Criminal Investigator VI Class A2A7XX · class description Grade A23	$9,125.00 – $12,774.00 a month $109,500 – $153,288 a year 31 steps Minimum: $9,125.00 a month Year 1: $9,125.00 a month Year 2: $9,125.00 a month Year 3: $9,581.00 a month Year 4: $9,581.00 a month Year 5: $10,060.00 a month Year 6: $10,060.00 a month Year 7: $10,060.00 a month Year 8: $10,563.00 a month Year 9: $10,563.00 a month Year 10: $10,950.00 a month Year 11: $10,950.00 a month Year 12: $11,169.00 a month Year 13: $11,169.00 a month Year 14: $11,169.00 a month Year 15: $11,392.00 a month Year 16: $11,392.00 a month Year 17: $11,392.00 a month Year 18: $11,392.00 a month Year 19: $11,392.00 a month Year 20: $11,620.00 a month Year 21: $11,620.00 a month Year 22: $11,620.00 a month Year 23: $11,620.00 a month Year 24: $11,620.00 a month Year 25: $11,853.00 a month Year 26: $11,853.00 a month Year 27: $11,853.00 a month Year 28: $11,853.00 a month Year 29: $11,853.00 a month Year 30: $11,853.00 a month
Special Agent IV Class A2B4XX · class description Grade A23	$9,125.00 – $12,774.00 a month $109,500 – $153,288 a year 31 steps Minimum: $9,125.00 a month Year 1: $9,125.00 a month Year 2: $9,125.00 a month Year 3: $9,581.00 a month Year 4: $9,581.00 a month Year 5: $10,060.00 a month Year 6: $10,060.00 a month Year 7: $10,060.00 a month Year 8: $10,563.00 a month Year 9: $10,563.00 a month Year 10: $10,950.00 a month Year 11: $10,950.00 a month Year 12: $11,169.00 a month Year 13: $11,169.00 a month Year 14: $11,169.00 a month Year 15: $11,392.00 a month Year 16: $11,392.00 a month Year 17: $11,392.00 a month Year 18: $11,392.00 a month Year 19: $11,392.00 a month Year 20: $11,620.00 a month Year 21: $11,620.00 a month Year 22: $11,620.00 a month Year 23: $11,620.00 a month Year 24: $11,620.00 a month Year 25: $11,853.00 a month Year 26: $11,853.00 a month Year 27: $11,853.00 a month Year 28: $11,853.00 a month Year 29: $11,853.00 a month Year 30: $11,853.00 a month
Special Agent V Class A2B5XX · class description Grade A24	$9,581.00 – $13,414.00 a month $114,972 – $160,968 a year 31 steps Minimum: $9,581.00 a month Year 1: $9,581.00 a month Year 2: $9,581.00 a month Year 3: $10,060.00 a month Year 4: $10,060.00 a month Year 5: $10,563.00 a month Year 6: $10,563.00 a month Year 7: $10,563.00 a month Year 8: $11,091.00 a month Year 9: $11,091.00 a month Year 10: $11,498.00 a month Year 11: $11,498.00 a month Year 12: $11,728.00 a month Year 13: $11,728.00 a month Year 14: $11,728.00 a month Year 15: $11,963.00 a month Year 16: $11,963.00 a month Year 17: $11,963.00 a month Year 18: $11,963.00 a month Year 19: $11,963.00 a month Year 20: $12,202.00 a month Year 21: $12,202.00 a month Year 22: $12,202.00 a month Year 23: $12,202.00 a month Year 24: $12,202.00 a month Year 25: $12,446.00 a month Year 26: $12,446.00 a month Year 27: $12,446.00 a month Year 28: $12,446.00 a month Year 29: $12,446.00 a month Year 30: $12,446.00 a month
Special Agent VI Class A2B6XX · class description Grade A25	$10,060.00 – $14,083.00 a month $120,720 – $168,996 a year 31 steps Minimum: $10,060.00 a month Year 1: $10,060.00 a month Year 2: $10,060.00 a month Year 3: $10,563.00 a month Year 4: $10,563.00 a month Year 5: $11,091.00 a month Year 6: $11,091.00 a month Year 7: $11,091.00 a month Year 8: $11,646.00 a month Year 9: $11,646.00 a month Year 10: $12,073.00 a month Year 11: $12,073.00 a month Year 12: $12,314.00 a month Year 13: $12,314.00 a month Year 14: $12,314.00 a month Year 15: $12,561.00 a month Year 16: $12,561.00 a month Year 17: $12,561.00 a month Year 18: $12,561.00 a month Year 19: $12,561.00 a month Year 20: $12,812.00 a month Year 21: $12,812.00 a month Year 22: $12,812.00 a month Year 23: $12,812.00 a month Year 24: $12,812.00 a month Year 25: $13,068.00 a month Year 26: $13,068.00 a month Year 27: $13,068.00 a month Year 28: $13,068.00 a month Year 29: $13,068.00 a month Year 30: $13,068.00 a month

Schedule: State of Colorado Pay Plan FY 2026-27. Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Source: Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR), State of Colorado Pay Plan FY 2026-27 — Pay Plan with Steps, State Troopers and Medical Pay Plan. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay in Colorado, all employers Sourced

Detectives and Criminal Investigators (SOC 33-3021) in Colorado, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.

Measure	CO
Workers	1,930
10th percentile	$73,010
Median	$105,480
90th percentile	$161,550
National median, government employers	$93,790

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Employers in Colorado

158 police departments in Colorado.

62 sheriff's offices in Colorado.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.

More about this job

Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Detective / Criminal Investigator page.

Detective / Criminal Investigator in other states

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