Detectives and Criminal Investigators Pay Range in West Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,450
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$92,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$149,280
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$171,250
Half of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in West Virginia earn more than $92,410. The top 10% make $171,250 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,450.
Detectives and Criminal Investigators in West Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- West Virginia ranks 18th of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay, at $102,070 per year (2.7% above the U.S. average of $99,430).
- 220 people work as Detectives and Criminal Investigators in West Virginia — 0.2% of all U.S. Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.42: Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs are less concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,450; the top 10% earn over $171,250.
- Hourly equivalent: $49.07 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $148,110.
- Among public safety jobs in West Virginia, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($75,730).
Detectives and Criminal Investigators Job Market in West Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Detectives and Criminal Investigators here earn $102,070 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $102,070 is roughly equivalent to $130,859 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($104,670), Vermont ($104,220), Nebraska ($103,850) 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 West Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $75,730/yr West Virginia 25.8% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,670/yr West Virginia 44.5% vs this role
- Police Officers $55,900/yr West Virginia 45.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $54,400/yr West Virginia 46.7% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $49,600/yr West Virginia 51.4% vs this role
- Firefighters $40,100/yr West Virginia 60.7% vs this role
- Security Guards $31,320/yr West Virginia 69.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in West Virginia?
The average Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary in West Virginia is $102,070 per year (median $92,410), which is 2.7% above the national average of $99,430.
How does West Virginia rank for Detectives and Criminal Investigators pay?
West Virginia ranks 18th 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 West Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Detectives and Criminal Investigators in West Virginia earn about $48,450 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,770.
How much do Detectives and Criminal Investigators make per hour in West Virginia?
About $49.07 per hour, based on the $102,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Detectives and Criminal Investigators work in West Virginia?
BLS counts 220 Detectives and Criminal Investigators jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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