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Internal affairs investigator salary
Average internal affairs investigator salary
$54,189
Understanding Internal Affairs Investigator Salaries
The role of an Internal Affairs Investigator is vital in maintaining integrity within organizations, particularly in law enforcement. As of October 2025, these professionals earn an average annual salary of $54,189, translating to about $26 per hour. Salary levels can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific sector of employment.
Salary Variations by Location
In states with higher living costs, such as California and New York, Internal Affairs Investigators tend to earn more. For instance, the highest salaries can be found in metropolitan areas with a significant demand for investigative roles. Cities like Los Angeles and New York City report salaries that exceed the national average, making them attractive locations for job seekers in this field.
Career Growth Opportunities
Beyond salary, career advancement opportunities are abundant for Internal Affairs Investigators. Gaining experience and pursuing further education can lead to higher-paying positions within government agencies or private sectors. Additionally, specialized training in investigative techniques can enhance earning potential and career options.
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Where can an Internal Affairs Investigator earn more?
Average internal affairs investigator salary by state
The average internal affairs investigator salary in Maryland, New York, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average internal affairs investigator salary states are Georgia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for internal affairs investigators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $88,321 | $42.46 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $75,647 | $36.37 |
| 3 | New York | $73,508 | $35.34 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $67,045 | $32.23 |
| 5 | California | $71,574 | $34.41 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $69,947 | $33.63 |
| 7 | Oregon | $65,921 | $31.69 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $61,439 | $29.54 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $68,320 | $32.85 |
| 10 | Delaware | $65,818 | $31.64 |
| 11 | Nevada | $65,737 | $31.60 |
| 12 | Washington | $62,984 | $30.28 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $64,888 | $31.20 |
| 14 | Michigan | $59,158 | $28.44 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $66,203 | $31.83 |
| 16 | Ohio | $54,584 | $26.24 |
| 17 | Virginia | $63,122 | $30.35 |
| 18 | Montana | $56,741 | $27.28 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| 20 | Maine | $61,712 | $29.67 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $62,319 | $29.96 |
| 22 | Alaska | $55,024 | $26.45 |
| 23 | Arizona | $57,983 | $27.88 |
| 24 | Utah | $53,562 | $25.75 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $51,172 | $24.60 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $53,665 | $25.80 |
| 27 | Colorado | $54,375 | $26.14 |
| 28 | Missouri | $44,648 | $21.47 |
| 29 | Vermont | $57,730 | $27.75 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $53,452 | $25.70 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| 32 | Illinois | $51,883 | $24.94 |
| 33 | Texas | $51,264 | $24.65 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $42,717 | $20.54 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $42,651 | $20.51 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $46,796 | $22.50 |
| 37 | Indiana | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| 38 | Kansas | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $47,241 | $22.71 |
| 40 | Idaho | $44,099 | $21.20 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $41,843 | $20.12 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $40,522 | $19.48 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $43,219 | $20.78 |
| 44 | Florida | $39,253 | $18.87 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $39,592 | $19.03 |
| 46 | Alabama | $40,523 | $19.48 |
| 47 | Georgia | $39,616 | $19.05 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $39,884 | $19.18 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $39,272 | $18.88 |
| 50 | Iowa | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $33,876 | $16.29 |
Highest paying cities for internal affairs investigators
The highest-paying cities for internal affairs investigators are New York, NY, Salem, OR, and Richmond, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $73,702 | $35.43 |
| 2 | Salem, OR | $66,171 | $31.81 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $62,957 | $30.27 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $53,976 | $25.95 |
| 5 | Salt Lake City, UT | $53,287 | $25.62 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $52,276 | $25.13 |
| 7 | Asheville, NC | $41,143 | $19.78 |
| 8 | Little Rock, AR | $39,504 | $18.99 |
| 9 | Columbia, SC | $34,120 | $16.40 |
Internal affairs investigator salary details
An internal affairs investigator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $115,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an internal affairs investigator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $115,000 | $9,583 | $55 |
| 75th Percentile | $80,000 | $6,667 | $38 |
| Average | $54,189 | $4,516 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying internal affairs investigator jobs
The highest paying types of internal affairs investigators are investigator, postal inspector, and special services agent.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Support Officer | $36,446 | $3,037 | $17.52 | 133,048 |
| Marshal | $36,029 | $3,002 | $17.32 | 242 |
| Supervisory Special Agent | $67,204 | $5,600 | $32.31 | 87,242 |
| Special Agent | $60,916 | $5,076 | $29.29 | 46,232 |
| Special Services Agent | $67,354 | $5,613 | $32.38 | 89,001 |
| Special Investigation Unit Investigator | $49,213 | $4,101 | $23.66 | 30,770 |
Top companies hiring internal affairs investigators now:
Which companies pay internal affairs investigators the most?
Internal affairs investigator salaries at Amazon and New York State Restaurant Association are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average internal affairs investigator salary at companies like The State of Oregon and University of Georgia Small Business Development Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | $79,563 | $38.25 |
| 2 | New York State Restaurant Association | $60,554 | $29.11 |
| 3 | The State of Oregon | $56,263 | $27.05 |
| 4 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $49,128 | $23.62 |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University | $45,861 | $22.05 |
| 6 | State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission | $39,658 | $19.07 |
| 7 | Buncombe County Government | $37,992 | $18.27 |
| 8 | City of Boise | $35,172 | $16.91 |
| 9 | Macy's | $31,143 | $14.97 |
| 10 | Bloomingdale's | $27,645 | $13.29 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Internal affairs investigator salary trends
The average internal affairs investigator salary has risen by $9,455 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average internal affairs investigator earned $44,734 annually, but today, they earn $54,189 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for internal affairs investigators over the last decade.
Compare internal affairs investigator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average internal affairs investigator salary over time
Compare internal affairs investigator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Internal affairs investigator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,200 | $26.05 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | $51,800 | $24.92 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $51,100 | $24.55 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $49,800 | $23.96 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $48,700 | $23.41 | +1.2% |
Recently added internal affairs investigator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Agency | Internal Security Investigator I | Chicago, IL | 06/25/2025 | $71,136 |
| The Agency | Internal Security Investigator I | Sterling, VA | 06/19/2025 | $71,136 |
| State of Arizona | Internal Affairs Investigator | Phoenix, AZ | 06/18/2025 | $61,098 |
| State of New York | Internal Investigator 2 Criminal | White Plains, NY | 06/18/2025 | $86,773 |
| Arizona Department of Administration | Internal Affairs Investigator | Phoenix, AZ | 06/18/2025 | $61,098 |
| State of New York | Internal Investigator 1 (Justice Center)/Trainee | Pearl River, NY | 05/18/2025 | $65,164 |
| State of Illinois | Internal Security Investigator I-Cannabis Control Office Investigator | Champaign, IL | 04/25/2025 | $68,436 |
| Pyramid Consulting, Inc. | Internal Investigator-Ethics | McLean, VA | 04/21/2025 | $104,350 |
| State of New York | Internal Investigator 1 (Justice Center)/Trainee | Syracuse, NY | 04/17/2025 | $65,164 |
| Paypal | Internal Investigator | Scottsdale, AZ | 03/30/2025 | $52,800 |
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