Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$84,500
- 25th Percentile — Junior$96,540
- 50th Percentile — Median$115,790
- 75th Percentile — Senior$126,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$162,860
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington earn more than $115,790. The top 10% make $162,860 or more, while entry-level workers start around $84,500.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 8th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $118,040 per year (18.7% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 1,850 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington — 1.6% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.71: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $84,500; the top 10% earn over $162,860.
- Hourly equivalent: $56.75 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($142,670).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $118,040 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $118,040 is roughly equivalent to $94,432 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Hawaii ($124,610), California ($121,530), Virginia ($119,620) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $142,670/yr Washington +20.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $124,010/yr Washington +5.1% vs this role
- Police Officers $104,140/yr Washington 11.8% vs this role
- Firefighters $89,200/yr Washington 24.4% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $78,150/yr Washington 33.8% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $71,020/yr Washington 39.8% vs this role
- Security Guards $50,770/yr Washington 57.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Washington?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in Washington is $118,040 per year (median $115,790), which is 18.7% above the national average of $99,430.
How does Washington rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
Washington ranks 8th 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Washington earn about $84,500 per year and the 25th percentile is $96,540.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in Washington?
About $56.75 per hour, based on the $118,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in Washington?
BLS counts 1,850 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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