Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,730
- 25th Percentile — Junior$79,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$112,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$160,760
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$195,190
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia earn more than $112,760. The top 10% make $195,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,730.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 6th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $119,620 per year (20.3% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 3,180 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia — 2.8% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.05: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,730; the top 10% earn over $195,190.
- Hourly equivalent: $57.51 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Virginia, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($112,200).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $119,620 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $119,620 is roughly equivalent to $108,745 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $112,200/yr Virginia 6.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $93,750/yr Virginia 21.6% vs this role
- Police Officers $70,450/yr Virginia 41.1% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $61,940/yr Virginia 48.2% vs this role
- Firefighters $58,240/yr Virginia 51.3% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $54,450/yr Virginia 54.5% vs this role
- Security Guards $47,070/yr Virginia 60.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Virginia?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Virginia is $119,620 per year (median $112,760), which is 20.3% above the national average of $99,430.
How does Virginia rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Virginia ranks 6th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Virginia earn about $62,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $79,770.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Virginia?
About $57.51 per hour, based on the $119,620 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Virginia?
BLS counts 3,180 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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