Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$94,220
- 25th Percentile — Junior$114,230
- 50th Percentile — Median$160,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$170,810
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$195,190
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia earn more than $160,760. The top 10% make $195,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $94,220.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $148,110 per year (49.0% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 2,980 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia — 2.6% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 5.78: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $94,220; the top 10% earn over $195,190.
- Hourly equivalent: $71.21 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among public safety jobs in District of Columbia, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($148,210).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $148,110 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $148,110 is roughly equivalent to $97,441 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($130,040), Alaska ($125,160), Hawaii ($124,610) are the closest alternatives for Detectives and Criminal Investigators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $148,210/yr District of Columbia +0.1% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $126,450/yr District of Columbia 14.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $92,390/yr District of Columbia 37.6% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $88,260/yr District of Columbia 40.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $79,550/yr District of Columbia 46.3% vs this role
- Security Guards $60,720/yr District of Columbia 59.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in District of Columbia?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in District of Columbia is $148,110 per year (median $160,760), which is 49.0% above the national average of $99,430.
How does District of Columbia rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($148,110/yr).
How much do entry-level Detectives and Criminal Investigators make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in District of Columbia earn about $94,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $114,230.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $71.21 per hour, based on the $148,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 2,980 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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