Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in Atlanta, GA
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $69,900 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,000 take-home, or $4,583 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median detective and criminal investigator salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,548
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,334
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,014
- Georgia income tax$3,005
- Take-home pay$55,000
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Detective and Criminal Investigator pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,770 | $22.00 | $37,204 | $3,100 |
| 25th percentile | $59,180 | $28.45 | $47,282 | $3,940 |
| Median (50th) | $69,900 | $33.61 | $55,000 | $4,583 |
| 75th percentile | $79,220 | $38.09 | $61,073 | $5,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,300 | $66.97 | $99,871 | $8,323 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,900 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median detective and criminal investigator's $55,000 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,968 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.4× the national concentration of detective and criminal investigator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for detectives and criminal investigators, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #5 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $127,890 | $89,352 | $78,679 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $124,840 | $87,591 | $78,285 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,440 | $78,471 | $69,713 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $69,900 | $55,000 | $54,968 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: detectives and criminal investigators
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.2% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a detective and criminal investigator make in Atlanta, GA?
The median detective and criminal investigator salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $69,900 a year, or about $33.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,180 and $79,220.
What is a detective and criminal investigator’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $69,900 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $55,000 a year ($4,583 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,005 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a detective and criminal investigator?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $93,790. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,968 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #5 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a detective and criminal investigator afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median detective and criminal investigator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $81,860
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $60,910
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $49,380
- Firefighter — $47,300
- Security Guard — $35,150