📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$98,208
per year
Median
$91,608
per year
Hourly
$47.22
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,348
25th Percentile — Junior$81,708
50th Percentile — Median$91,608
75th Percentile — Senior$125,268
90th Percentile — Top Earners$141,963
💡 Top-earning Detective and Criminal Investigators in Virginia make up to $141,963 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$86.8k
2021
$89.0k
2022
$91.2k
2023
$93.5k
2024
$95.8k
2025
$98.2k
2026
📈 Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 2.5% annual growth. The strong presence in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Detective and Criminal Investigator Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $103,118 +5.0% Medium
Richmond $100,172 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Detective and Criminal Investigator Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Detective and Criminal Investigators. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $98,208 per year, Virginia's Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $62,348–$81,708, while experienced Detective and Criminal Investigators can command $125,268–$141,963.

Looking ahead, the Detective and Criminal Investigator profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 2.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Detective and Criminal Investigator salary in Virginia is $98,208 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $89,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Detective and Criminal Investigators the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Detective and Criminal Investigator employment.
  • At $98,208/year, Virginia Detective and Criminal Investigator salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $89,280/year.